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COLONKL WILLIAM KAYMONl) LKK 




THE 
TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT 



THE TWENTIETH REGIMENT 

OF 
MASSACHUSETTS 

VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 

18G1-1865 

BY 

BREVET LT .-COLONEL GEORGE A. BRUCE 

'I 

AT THE REQUEST OF THE 

officers' ASSOCIATION 

OF THE REGIMENT 




BOSTON AND NEW YORK 
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY 

^fje Ribcr^ibe "pit?^, Cambcibjje 
1906 



e. 



D 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Oomes rtecelved 
MAY b 1906 
opyrisrnt Entry 

CLftSS/ <X, aAC. No, 

/i4 S^ tL CO 

COPY A. 



COPYRIGHT 1906 BY GEORGE A. BRUCE 
ALXj RIGHTS RESERVED 



Published May iqob 



PREFACE 

The history of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regi- 
ment is presented at this late day to its surviving 
members and such others as may be interested in its 
story. 

Some time after the close of the war Mr. John C. 
Ropes, widely known as a lawyer, and the world over 
as one of the most critical and gifted of writers upon 
military subjects, was chosen as our historian, and 
the position was accepted by him. The pressure of 
business and the completion of other literary works 
in which he was interested so consumed his time that 
he was not able to perform a task which would have 
been for him a work of love. 

Mr. Ropes was an intimate friend of many officers 
of the regiment, and he followed its career with an 
interest that never ceased. His brother. Lieutenant 
Henry Ropes, one of its most promising young officers, 
was killed at Gettysburg. Subsequently Captain 
Edward B. Robins, who joined the regiment in the 
fall of 1864, was chosen his successor. 

The circumstances under which the present volume 
has been prepared are set forth in the following letter 
from Colonel George A. Bruce, who served in Vir- 
ginia until the close of the war, 

Boston, January 30, 1906. 

To the Officers' Association of the Twentieth Mas- 
sachusetts Regiment, 
Dear Sirs, — I send you to-day the last sheets of 
the history ready for publication. You know how un- 



vi PREFACE 

willing I was to take up a task that naturally belonged 
to others and not to me. I was not only a stranger to 
the regiment, but, though serving in the same army, 
never even saw it. Every military organization, great 
or small, during a long war like that in which we were 
engaged, develops an individuality of its own that is 
in marked contrast with that of all others. To write 
the annals of the regiment, to give to its history a true 
coloring, and set it forth in vivid language, it is neces- 
sary that he who does it should have been one of its 
members. Only he who has been with a body of men 
in camp; who has witnessed the every-day way of 
doing the ordinary routine duties; has listened to 
their talk, their jokes, their songs, their prayers; has 
marched by their side and with them into battle ; seen 
them in the hour of victory ; followed them after bloody 
repulses, and witnessed with what quickness and in- 
telligence they would again rally on the colors ; seen 
them on the skirmish line, where t,hey display their 
individuality and at the same time reflect the spirit 
of their corps, — can ever get quite within the atmos- 
phere which they have created about them and come 
to know them as they really were. 
. The first two chapters are practically as they were 
received by me, but somewhat abbreviated. The ac- 
count of the Battle of Ball's Bluff is relatively too long, 
but it is the only correct and complete history of it that 
I have ever seen. As a piece of military writing it is 
worthy of being preserved. Massachusetts lost more 
of her sons there than in many of the more important 
engagements, and it produced a shock in this commu- 
nity at the time scarcely second to any battle of the 
war. It caused the death of the brilliant United States 
Senator Edward D. Baker of Oregon, then colonel 
in command; it involved the reputation of the com- 



PREFACE vii 

mander-in-chief of the army, and resulted in the im- 
prisonment for a long time of General Charles P. 
Stone, about which there is still more or less of a his- 
toric mystery. For these reasons it seemed best to 
leave the account as it stands. 

The picture of a skirmish line halfway up the bluff, 
holding back for hours the victorious Confederates 
who had gained the crest, while heroic men were en- 
deavoring to carry over in frail boats and skiffs the 
wounded to Harrison's Island, the coming on of night, 
the dark river pebbled into foam by a shower of bul- 
lets, through which hundreds of men were struggling 
for their lives to reach the further shore, presents one 
of the most tragic and thrilling events of the war. 

The Twentieth was one of the most notable regi- 
ments in the service. It stands fifth on the roll of 
those that suffered the heaviest losses during the war. 
It is not unworthy of mention that it was oflScered 
largely by young men fresh from Harvard University. 
For this reason it was popularly known as the Har- 
vard regiment. It was they who gave to it in a great 
measure its character, though associated with them 
were some others possessed of the true military spirit. 
That they constituted a body of men of exceptional 
ability and character is evident from the high rank 
attained in the service by so many, as appears from 
the following list : — 

Brevet Major-General William F. Bartlett ! 

Brevet Major-General George N. Macy 
Brevet Brigadier- General William Raymond Lee 
Brevet Brigadier-General Francis W. Palfrey 
Brevet Brigadier-General Paul J. Revere 
Brevet Brigadier-General Charles Lawrence Peirson 
Brevet Brigadier-General Charles A. Whittier 
Brevet Brigadier-General Caspar Crowninshield 



viii PREFACE 

Brevet Brigadier-General Edward N. Hallowell 
Brevet Brigadier-General Arthur R. Curtis 
Brevet Brigadier-General Henry L. Patten 

Others would have been added to the list but for 
their early death in the service. 

Soon after the return of the regiment, a fund was 
raised among its friends, with which was purchased 
and erected to its memory the Lion from the studio 
of St. Gaudens on the stairway of the Boston Public 
Library. An alcove in the same building was also 
fitted up with appropriate memorial tablets, and the 
sum of five thousand dollars was put in the hands of 
the Trustees for the purchase of military books to 
be placed therein. 

The monument at Gettysburg was erected by the 
Regimental Association, which includes both officers 
and enlisted men. The bronze tablet placed upon it 
was given by Mrs. Nathaniel Thayer of Boston, a 
daughter of Colonel Paul J. Revere, the third colonel 
of the regiment, who was killed there. 

More than forty years have elapsed since the close 
of the conflict in which we were engaged, and as no 
letters or diaries written by any one of the officers or 
men were handed to me of a date later than June, 
1863, 1 have made up the record as best I could from 
official reports, general and regimental histories, files 
of newspapers covering this eventful period, and the 
few facts furnished me by surviving members. 

GEORGE A. BRUCE. 



CONTENTS 

I. Early Experiences 1 

II. The Upper Potomac and Ball's Bluff ... 16 

III. From the Potomac to the Chickahominy . 78 

IV. Fair Oaks 90 

V. The Seven Days' Battles 102 

VI. From Harrison's Landing to the Antietam . 138 

VII. Battle of Antietam 159 

VIII. Antietam to Fredericksburg 175 

IX. Fredericksburg 182 

X. Winter on the Rappahannock 223 

XI. Chancellorsville 236 

XII. Gettysburg 261 

XIII. From Gettysburg to the Rapidan .... 299 
XrV. Rappahannock Station and Mine Run . .316 

XV. Winter on the Rapidan 324 

XVI. The Wilderness 341 

XVII. Spottsylvania 359 

XVIII. From Spottsylvania to the James .... 383 
XIX. Petersburg 402 

XX. Deep Bottom, Reams's Station, Boydton Road 412 
XXI. The Last Winter and Appomattox .... 428 

Roster 443 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Colonel William Raymond Lee . . . Frontispiece 

Ball's Bluff, map 24 

Ball's Bluff, Harrison's Island in the Fore- 
ground 30 

Richmond and Vicinity, map 90 

Antietam, map . 162 

Fredericksburg 194 

Fredericksburg, Farquhar St., Scene of the Twen- 
tieth's Charge 200 

Fredericksburg, Caroline St 210 

Fredericksburg, map 214 

Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg, map . . . 238 

Gettysburg, map 274 

Gettysburg Boulder 298 

Wilderness and Spottsylvania, maj) 344 

Major Henry L. Abbott 352 

The Salient, map 374 

Route of the Twentieth from Rapidan to Peters- 
burg 386 

Richmond and Petersburg, map 404 

Battle of Boydton Plank Road, map 424 

Appomattox Campaign 436 



THE 

TWEISTTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

REGIMEIS^T 

CHAPTER I 

ORGANIZATION AND EARLY EXPERIENCES 

On the twenty-seventh day of June in the year 
eighteen hundred and sixty-one, Wilham Raymond 
Lee, a former classmate of Jefferson Davis at West 
Point and a veteran of the Florida War, then a civil 
engineer by profession, was appointed by Governor 
Andrew to command the Twentieth Massachusetts 
Volunteer Regiment, and was requested to select 
his field and staff officers. He immediately nomi- 
nated Francis Winthrop Palfrey for lieutenant-colo- 
nel, and Paul Joseph Revere for major, and these 
nominations were accepted by the Governor on the 
following day. On the first of July he sent in the 
names of Charles Lawrence Peirson for adjutant, 
and Charles W. Folsom for quartermaster, which 
were also accepted. 

On July 2, Colonel Lee requested that the Twen- 
tieth should be ordered into camp, and proposed 
Sprague Plain, near Sprague Pond at Readville 
Station, eight miles from Boston on the Boston and 
Providence Railroad, as a suitable place for a camp. 
This was immediately accepted and proved to be 
all that was desirable, and a large area in that neigh- 
borhood extending to the Neponset River was used 
as a camp by many troops until the close of the war. 



2 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

On this date Lee, Peirson, and Folsom were respect- 
ively appointed acting colonel, acting adjutant, and 
acting quartermaster, as they could not be commis- 
sioned until the regiment was organized, and ordered 
to report for duty. 

The ten companies assigned to tWe" regiment were 
ordered to report to Colonel Lee at this camp on 
Wednesday, July 10, at 1 p. m. In place of two of 
these companies William Francis Bartlett and John 
C. Putnam were authorized to recruit men for new 
companies, I and H. The first selected George N. 
Macy for his first lieutenant, and Henry L. Abbott 
for his second lieutenant; the latter chose N. P. 
Hallowell for his first lieutenant, and H. H. Sturgis 
for his second, the Governor having ordered on this 
day that the commissioned officers of a company 
of volunteers should be one captain and two lieu- 
tenants only. 

On July 6, F. W. Palfrey was appointed acting 
lieutenant-colonel and ordered to report to Colonel 
Lee. On July 8, Colonel Lee, Quartermaster Fol- 
som, and Captain Dreher with thirteen men of Com- 
pany C laid out the camp. It was an ideal place for 
a camp, — a gentle slope with sandy soil which quickly 
dried after a rain, covered with a thick carpet of 
grass, bordered on two sides by beautiful old elms, 
and with the " Blue Hills " of Milton but a mile 
away. Close by was a pond of clear, cool water which 
supplied us and in which the men persisted in bath- 
ing, notwithstanding strict orders issued on complaint 
of the owners of the ice-houses on the opposite side. 
The loud challenge to the grand patrol every evening 
by the sentries in the vicinity would give ample time 
for the crowd of bathers to scatter and steal back to 
camp. A short distance beyond the pond was the 



EARLY EXPERIENCES 3 

Neponset River, while the raih'oad station was only 
a pistol-shot from camp. 

Into this camp the nucleus of the Twentieth Mas- 
sachusetts moved on July 10, 1861, and tents were 
pitched in the afternoon. General Order No. 1 gives 
to the camp the name of " Camp Massasoit," and 
orders the detail of two men from each company as 
company cooks, and a detail of one non-commis- 
sioned officer and four privates each from Companies 
C and D as the first guard, to be stationed at the 
store-house. 

Recruiting was slow and difficult at this time, as 
the earlier regiments had exhausted the first enthu- 
siasm of the community. Therefore a large propor- 
tion of the officers were obliged to be absent from 
camp on recruiting service. With the exception of 
the men enlisted in Nantucket by Lieutenant Macy, 
no particular locality was represented in the regi- 
ment. In this respect the Twentieth probably differed 
from every other Massachusetts regiment, and more 
nearly resembled those of the Regular Army. This 
had its advantages as well as its disadvantages. 
While it gave us a smaller proportion of clean, coun- 
try young men, it also saved us from the town- 
meeting idea of government, and from the jealousies 
between towns, and gave us a body of individuals 
who were easily disciplined when once their own 
personal independence was yielded. 

The camp was pitched in regulation style, with 
company streets, which were marked with distin- 
guishing names, for instance. Company C's street 
being called "Folsom Street" in honor of the quarter- 
master and commissary. The regiment soon settled 
down to drill and hard work in guard and all the 
other duties of the soldier. In this first week cook- 



4 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

shops were set up, company cooks got into the traces, 
a refrigerator was sunk, and the regiment was able 
to cook not only for itself but also for the Eighteenth 
Massachusetts, which occupied the adjacent field. 

Major Revere came out on the 12th and in a very 
few days there was battalion drill every afternoon, 
generally under command of Colonel Lee, some- 
times of Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey, while Major 
Revere hovered along the flanks. His cheerful com- 
mand, "Guides, cover!" will be remembered by all 
the sergeants of that time. The regiment improved 
very much in discipline, but it was a long time be- 
fore the men could appreciate that they must remain 
in camp, even when off duty, and must not follow 
their own sweet will in going up to Klemm's at Mill 
Village for a sociable glass of beer. Some of the strag- 
glers to this village were not content with a moderate 
supply of beer, but indulged in something stronger. 
The resulting drunkenness finally caused a raid by 
the major and adjutant with a small detail who took 
possession of all the liquor on the premises and turned 
it into the street. On being asked by what author- 
ity he committed this act of violence, the major laid 
down a large horse-pistol on the bar and said, "This 
is my authority!" 

On July 16 medical inspection preparatory to 
muster into the service of the United States was held 
by Surgeon Bryant and Assistant Surgeon Hay- 
ward, assisted by Norton Folsom, afterwards a med- 
ical cadet. Companies A, B, C, D, and E were 
inspected at 8.30 a. m., and Companies F, G, H, I, 
and K at 2 p. M. On the 18th new recruits, includ- 
ing twenty-three from Nantucket received the even- 
ing before, and all not previously inspected, were 
examined. Those present will never forget Surgeon 



EARLY EXPERIENCES 5 

Bryant's delight at the physique of the Nantucket 
recruits, especially that of Sergeant Kelly when he 
removed his clothes. 

On July 18 the regiment was mustered into the 
United States Service by Captain Amory. Company 
B, however, to a man, refused to take the oath ex- 
cept on condition that their present acting company 
officers should be commissioned. The company was 
therefore not mustered, but was immediately dis- 
missed and forbidden to appear at evening parade. 
The next day Captain Herchenroder and First Lieu- 
tenant Le Barnes called on Colonel Lee to express 
Iheir surprise and regret at the conduct of their com- 
pany, while the men decided to take the oath. The 
company then marched to the Colonel's quarters and 
apologized and was then restored to its position in 
the line without any promise being made it. The 
following day it sent a petition to the Governor, signed 
by fifty-nine men, asking him to commission the 
present acting officers. These three officers were 
commissioned in due course by the Governor on the 
recommendation of Colonel Lee and at the same 
time as the officers selected for the other companies. 

The mustering officer reported the men already 
enlisted as so deficient in stamina and capability that 
not more than one third of them were equal to the 
average of his experience as mustering officer for 
Massachusetts. The Colonel gave the strictest orders 
for the medical inspection of recruits and reported 
to the Governor that many of the men must be dis- 
charged. In response he was given full discretion 
to grant discharges, and many men were thus sent 
home before the regiment left the state. 

On July 22, the day after the battle of Bull Run, 
when it seemed as if the regiment must be ordered 



6 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

into the field immediately, half filled and half drilled 
as it was, the list of oflicers was most carefully ex- 
amined and nine of them were dropped, while Com- 
panies A and E were transferred bodily the next day 
with their oflficers to the Nineteenth Massachusetts. 
In their places were ordered to the Twentieth Cap- 
tain Joseph Hayes and Lieutenants Holmes and 
Whittier for Company A, Captain Tremlett for Com- 
pany D, Captain Schmitt and Lieutenants Lowell 
and Putnam (with the men enlisted by them) for 
Company E, First Lieutenant Cabot for Company 
F, and Second Lieutenant Tilden for Company K. 
Captain Tremlett was transferred to Company A, 
while Captain Batchelder returned to Company D, 
but he resigned on August 2, and Caspar Crownin- 
shield was nominated on August 12 as his successor 
and was commissioned accordingly. 

On the afternoon of the 26th Company B and those 
absent at previous muster with new recruits were 
mustered into the service by Captain Chipman. On 
Sunday, the 28th, inspection occurred in the morn- 
ing, and at 4.30 p. m. services were held in camp by 
the Reverend Dr. Dwight of Dedham. The next day 
notice was given that, by act of the legislature, the men 
would be paid by the commonwealth "from the day 
when they went into camp to the day when they were 
mustered into the service of the United States." 

On July 31 the first death in the regiment oc- 
curred. Thomas Tracy, a recruit who had joined the 
day before and been assigned to Company K, went 
to bathe in the river with a party of nineteen others 
under the charge of a first lieutenant accompanied by 
the assistant surgeon. While in the water, he sud- 
denly disappeared with a cry. In spite of immediate 
diving and the greatest exertions of both of the oflS- 



EARLY EXPERIENCES 7 

cers and men, his body was not recovered for three 
quarters of an hour, when hfe was extinct. 

Guard duty had by this time been thoroughly 
organized, and consisted of two kinds, — the main 
and the picket guards. The former consisted of one 
lieutenant, one sergeant, three corporals, and forty- 
five privates; the latter of the same number of com- 
missioned and non-commissioned oflficers with thirty- 
nine privates ; — making a total of two commissioned 
oflScers, eight non-commissioned officers, and eighty- 
four privates. A captain was detailed each day as 
officer of the day. 

The morning report of August 12 gave a total of 
four hundred and sixty-eight enlisted men. On that 
evening Sergeant Buguey, commanding a squad of 
fourteen men of Company C, left camp to bathe. 
Outside of camp an agent of the New York Irish 
Brigade met them and induced the sergeant and 
eleven men to desert, while three of them returned 
to camp. The twelve men were followed and arrested 
at Mansfield, where they had stopped to transfer to 
the train for New York, and were lodged in Suffolk 
County jail together with the enticing agent. 

On August 19 orders were received from Wash- 
ington to forward the regiment immediately, and 
Colonel Lee was called upon for a complete roster of 
his company and staff officers, so that the commissions 
might be issued. After' careful consideration among 
the field and staff the rank of the company officers 
was settled as follows: 

CAPTAINS FIRST LIEUTENANTS SECOND LIEUTENANTS 

1 Bartlett Babo Abbott 

2 Crowninshield Macy Milton 

3 Putnam, J. C. Hallowell Messer 

4 Dreher Perry Tilden 



8 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 



CAPTAINS 


FIRST LIEUTENANTS 


SECOND LIEUTENANTS 


5 Tremlett 


Capen 


Putnam, W. L. 


6 Schmitt' 


Beckwith 


Wesselhoeft 


7 Herchenroder 


Cabot 


Sturgis 


8 Sweeny 


Holmes 


Muller 


9 Walleston 


Lowell 


Whittier 


10 Shepard 


Le Barnes 


Day 



These oflficers were accordingly commissioned in 
their respective companies, all commissions being 
dated July 10, their relative rank being decided as 
above. The field and staff were commissioned to 
date July 1. No chaplain or non-commissioned staff 
had then been selected. Colonel Lee reported his 
"ability and readiness to march on a few hours' 
notice with three days' rations, cooked in camp, with 
about 500 officers and men, somewhat drilled, and 
with the few wagons that were ready." The com- 
panies took their proper positions in line according 
to the relative rank of their captains: 



LEFT 


FLANK 






COLORS 






RIGHT 


FLANK 


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B 


K 


A 


G 


H 


F 


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These positions were held until after the battle 
of Ball's Bluff. 

On August 21 the morning report showed five 
hundred and thirty-eight as the aggregate strength of 
the regiment. On the 27th, the Seventeenth, Eight- 
eenth and Nineteenth Regiments having started 
for the front, General Bullock, in command of the 



EARLY EXPERIENCES 9 

recruiting-station, was ordered to send all recruits 
to the Twentieth until it should be filled. He sent 
nearly two hundred and fifty during the following 
week, but that much-desired result — full ranks — 
was never obtained. 

On August 30 Mrs. Caleb Chase and other ladies 
presented a beautiful silk standard to the regiment. 
Governor Andrew was received at the railroad station 
by two companies and escorted to camp, where the 
regiment stood ready to receive him. He presented 
the standard with remarks that were undoubtedly 
grand and appropriate, but which were lost to most 
of us in consequence of the high wind then blowing. 
The standard was a beautiful state flag, with the 
coat-of-arms of the commonwealth on one side, and 
on the other the simple motto: *'Fide et constantia." 

Soon afterwards our old smooth-bore muskets 
were exchanged for Enfield rifles which were carried 
for the remainder of the war. These were the reg- 
ulation muskets of the English Army, bought in 
England by an agent sent there by Massachusetts 
immediately after the firing on Sumter. It was not 
considered quite so good a gun as the new Spring- 
field rifled musket, but it was a good rifle and decid- 
edly superior to any of the other guns given to our 
soldiers. Many, even of the Massachusetts troops, 
had only old smooth-bore Springfield muskets, re- 
cently altered from flint-lock to percussion, owing 
to the impossibility of getting a sufficient number of 
rifles of any kind. 

On September 2 we received orders to leave for 
the front two days later. On Wednesday, September 
4, tents were struck at 10 a. m. and all preparations 
were made for the start. A detachment of eighty 
men went to Cambridge in the morning, took charge 



10 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

of our formidable train of wagons, consisting of 
twenty-five baggage-wagons, two hospital-wagons, 
and five ambulances, with one hundred and twenty 
horses, including those of the field and staff, brought 
them to Boston and put them onto the cars. In doing 
this. Corporal Herbert Hawley of Company G was 
fatally kicked by a horse at the Providence Depot 
at Boston. 

The regiment left Camp Massasoit at 4 p. m., 
boarded the train and started at 5.20 for Groton, 
Connecticut, where it took the steamboat Commodore 
for New York. With the regiment were several offi- 
cers and about fifty men belonging to Massachu- 
setts regiments in the field, going out to join them. 
We did not go into Boston and have a parade on the 
Common as so many of the regiments did on their way 
to the field. In fact, the Twentieth never appeared 
in Boston as a regiment, neither when it first left 
for the war, nor when it re-enlisted, nor on its return 
at the close of the war. The regiment returned to 
Readville in 1865 as quietly as it left there in 1861. 
No regiments were invited by Governor Andrew to 
parade in Boston at the close of the war except our 
two colored regiments of infantiy and one of heavy 
artillery. 

The roster of the regiment was : 



Colonel : 


William Raymond Lee, 


Roxbury. 


Lieutenant-Colonel : 


Francis Winthrop Palfrey, 


Boston. 


Major : 


Paul Joseph Revere, 


Boston. 


Adjutant: 


Charles Lawrence Peirson, 


Salem. 


Quartermaster: 


Charles W. Folsom, 


Cambridge, 


Surgeon : 


Henry Bryant, 


Boston. 


Assistant Surgeon: 


Nathan Hayward, 


Roxbury. 


Sergeant-Major : 


Sylvanus R. Harlow, 


Waltham. 


Quartermaster-Sergeant : 


Henry Frederick Sander, 


Boston. 


Commissary-Sergeant : 


Edward Hennessey, 


Boston. 


Hospital Steward: 


John Honnard, 


Boston. 



EARLY EXPERIENCES 



11 



Company A. 

Captain : 

First Lieutenant: 

Second Lieutenant: 

Company B. 
Captain : 
First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company C. 
Captain : 

First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company D. 
Captain: 
First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company E. 
Captain : 
First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company F. 
Captain : 
First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company G. 
Captain : 
First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company H. 
Captain : 
First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company I. 
Captain : 

First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 

Company K. 
Captain : 
First Lieutenant: 
Second Lieutenant: 



Henry M. Tremlett, Boston. 
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Boston. 

Charles A. Wliittier, Boston. 

John Herchenroder, Boston. 

John W. Le Barnes, Boston. 

August Muller, Boston. 

Ferdinand Dreher, Boston. 

Alois Babo, Boston. 

Reinhold Wesselhoeft, Boston. 

Caspar Crowninshield, Boston. 

George E. Perry, Boston. 

Nathaniel Thayer Messer, Boston. 

George Adam Schmitt, Cambridge. 

James Jackson Lowell, Boston. 

William Lowell Putnam, Boston. 

Edward A. Walleston, Boston. 

Charles FoUen Cabot, Boston. 

Charles O. Day, Boston. 

Henry J. Sweeny, Boston. 

Henry Capen, Boston. 

William F. Milton, Boston. 



John C. Putnam, Boston. 

Norwood Penrose Hallowell, Cambridge. 

Henry Howard Sturgis, Boston. 

William Francis Bartlett, Winthrop. 

George Nelson Macy, Nantucket. 

Henry Livermore Abbott, Lowell. 

Allen Shepard, Boston. 

Allen W. Beckwith, Boston. 

Charles Linzee Tilden, Jr., Boston. 



12 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

The regiment left Readville with the above men- 
tioned officers and about seven hundred and fifty 
men on September 4, 1861. 

The Sons of Massachusetts residing in New York 
met us at the landing and gave us a grand reception 
and a fine dinner at the Park Barracks. Frank E. 
Howe, New York agent for Massachusetts, pre- 
sided, with Governor Andrew on his right and Colonel 
Lee on his left. Speeches were made by David 
Dudley Field, Governor Andrew, Charles A. Dana, 
Colonel Lee, Charles H. Emerson, and W. E. 
Hampton. 

The regiment then marched up Broadway to the 
ferry and reached Philadelphia at 6.30 a. m. on Sep- 
tember 6. The generous hospitality of that city was 
extended to us in the form of an excellent breakfast 
at the old "Cooper Shop," which so liberally enter- 
tained all Northern soldiers passing through in either 
direction at any time during the war, and for which 
we ever afterwards had a tender place in our hearts. 
One enthusiastic recruit joined us here, and was 
assigned to Company K. Starting again at 9.30 a. m. 
we arrived in Baltimore at 10 p. m. with our state 
flag unfurled and rifles loaded, — but not a hiss or 
reproach was audible. We rode from here to Wash- 
ington in cattle-cars with benches placed across, and 
spent until 2.30 a. m. of the 7th in this palatial 
and rapid transportation! The regiment was hurried 
to the front with ranks but three quarters full, — it 
being impossible to wait to recruit the remainder! 
Yet it took fifty-seven hours to carry us from Read- 
ville to Washington, — a trip which now occupies 
twelve hours of a regular express. 

We spent the morning of the 7th at the big barracks 
near the station called the " Soldiers' Retreat," not 



EARLY EXPERIENCES 13 

far from the Capitol, and here we breakfasted and 
dined. At 3 p. m. we marched down Pennsylvania 
Avenue, passing in review before Lieutenant- Gen- 
eral Scott, who appeared on a balcony in full uniform, 
out to Camp Kalorama on Georgetown Heights, 
about two miles from the city. It was very hot and 
very dusty, and this our first march was trying, so 
that we were glad to halt and pitch our tents about 
8 p. M. We had for neighbors the Nineteenth Indiana 
and a Pennsylvania regiment, but in every direction 
were troops, — hubbub and confusion ; — the whole 
country looked like one great camp. But We received 
no cheers nor even attention, except from Massa- 
chusetts troops, which seemed strange and cold after 
our receptions at every city and town en route. 
Colonel Lee was immediately given command of 
the Fourth Provisional Brigade of General Burn- 
side's Provisional Division. This brigade comprised 
the Twentieth — to which Captain Saunders's Com- 
pany, First Massachusetts Sharpshooters, was tem- 
porarily attached — and a Pennsylvania regiment 
commanded by Colonel Lesure. 

By the 9th we had just begun to get things straight- 
ened out, when we received orders to move and to 
report to Brigadier-General F. W. Lander. By the 
time we had nearly finished upsetting our comfortably 
arranged tents and prepared to move, the orders 
were countermanded and we remained in a state of 
suspense and discomfort overnight and until 4 p. M. 
of the next day. On the afternoon of the 10th, how- 
ever, we actually did move three miles and pitched 
tents on Meridian Hill, in full view of the city and 
about one mile from the Capitol, at Camp Burnside. 
We had no sooner begun to set out a regular camp 
on thie 11th than we were again ordered to move to 



14 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Brightwood in Virginia on the next day. Accordingly 
on the 12th we loaded up, slung knapsacks, broke 
camp at 2 p. m., and started to cross the Potomac; 
but the head of our column had only reached the 
foot of the hill below camp when the orders were 
countermanded by an aide-de-camp of General 
Lander's, and we were started for Poolesville, where 
General Lander had that day assumed command 
of our brigade in General Stone's Corps of Observa- 
tion. We marched nearly north for seven miles over 
an uneven but not dusty road, and at 6.30 p. m. 
bivouacked under the starlit skies near Leesborough, 
Maryland. It was a hot day and this first march 
seemed very long and fatiguing to the men unaccus- 
tomed to knapsacks and marching. The cool night 
and heavy dew, however, refreshed us all very much, 
and we caught no colds from our first night without 
cover. Shortly after midnight the entire regiment, 
tired as the men were, was awakened and turned 
out under arms by a most unearthly noise. It was 
their first experience of a serenade by an army mule. 
This was started by a single mule and taken up by 
all his companions in the camp of our wagon-train 
on the other side of a neighboring hill. 

The next morning we fell in for the march at 9.30, 
and, with frequent halts to rest the men, we made 
thirteen miles, stopping two miles out of Rockville 
for dinner, and bivouacking at Muddy Branch on 
a hillside so steep that lying on the ground brought 
us almost to a perpendicular position. We started 
again at 10.15 a. m., sending ahead an advanced 
guard of picked men from Company I under Captain 
Bartlett with ten rounds of cartridges, rifles loaded 
and capped. A rear guard from Company D undej 
Captain Crowninshield, similarly prepared, was alot 



EARLY EXPERIENCES 15 

thrown out. The rest of the regiment had guns loaded 
but not capped. These precautions were taken in 
consequence of General Lander's orders, caused by 
reports that the rebel cavalry had crossed the river 
in great numbers intending to cut off our large bag- 
gage-train and ammunition. 

We made fifteen miles this day and reached Pooles- 
ville, Maryland, our objective point, thirty-five miles 
from Washington, about 7 p. m. September 14, and 
there reported to General Stone. We were followed 
by the Nineteenth Massachusetts, and Vaughn's 
Rhode Island Battery with six guns, both of our 
brigade, and by 8 p. m. all of us were settled in 
bivouac where we were hospitably welcomed by the 
Fifteenth Massachusetts which had arrived a few 
days before. 



\ 

on 



CHAPTER II 

THE UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL's BLUFF 

This camp, which was situated in a most beauti- 
ful place on a high hill, was called Camp Foster. 
We had the pleasure on our last day's march of pass- 
ing the camp of our good friends, the Second Mas- 
sachusetts Infantry, which was in General Banks's 
division. General Stone expressed great satisfaction 
at the appearance of the regiment, and was espe- 
cially gratified that the men had carried their knap- 
sacks. We were on very high ground, having ascended 
imperceptibly, and the air was so invigorating that 
the men were in better condition, notwithstanding 
that that day's march had been our longest since leav- 
ing Washington. We were on a high level tableland 
of some fifty miles square entirely free of trees, from 
which we could look across the valleys to the Blue 
Ridge. It was lovely and inspiring, even to the tired 
men. As there was not suflBcient water in this vicin- 
ity, we were obliged to move at 3 p. m. the next day, 
Sunday, September 15, about two miles and a half 
to a pleasant location on slightly lower ground, on 
the Williams farm, about two miles from Edwards 
Ferry, the most advanced position of this division. 
This was called Camp Benton after a gallant friend 
of General Lander who had fought in West Virginia. 
Here we laid out a regular and permanent camp in 
a large wheat-field on the slope of a hill, surrounded 
by a beautiful running stream of clear, cold water, — 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 17 

a healthy and lovely situation, — and here we re- 
mained for nearly six months. 

Edwards Ferry was simply a ford between the 
Maryland and Virginia shores of the Potomac; but 
after our arrival, a storehouse, some stores, and other 
buildings were erected and the landing of men and 
all sorts of supplies by the canal gave unusual life to 
the scene. The Seventh Michigan, Colonel Grosve- 
nor commanding, a splendid body of men, arrived 
on the 17th and joined General Lander's brigade, 
which had previously consisted of the Nineteenth 
Massachusetts, Battery B, First Rhode Island Artil- 
lery, Captain Vaughn — and ourselves. The Andrew 
— First Massachusetts — Sharpshooters were also 
with us. Colonel Lee wrote to Governor Andrew of 
his great satisfaction that General Lander had espe- 
cially asked for the assignment of the Twentieth to 
his brigade and had assured him that we should "not 
be deprived of our due share of active service." This 
promise was most religiously kept by him and every 
one of his successors ! The regiment was in good health, 
the sick not being over two and a half per cent, which 
was less than the average. Our surgeon. Dr. Bry- 
ant, was now made brigade surgeon; the assistant 
surgeon. Dr. Hayward, was promoted to surgeon; 
and Dr. E. H. R. Revere, brother of the major, 
was made assistant surgeon to date September 19; 
while our quartermaster was made acting quarter- 
master of the brigade on the 21st. Lieutenant Macy, 
mounted, with three men and the hospital- wagon, 
was soon sent to Washington for supplies, which he 
brought back on the 19th with eight loaded United 
States Army wagons and some additional horses. 
Assistant Surgeon Revere joined on the 18th, and 
Surgeon Hayward permanently took his new rank. 



18 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

From this time began our regular work, company 
drill every morning, battalion drill and dress-parade 
every afternoon, with occasional reviews and brigade 
drills, and regular Sunday morning inspection. Every 
other night two companies were detailed for outpost 
duty at the Potomac River in the neighborhood of 
Edwards Ferry, with other troops of the brigade and 
two guns from Vaughn's Battery. The reserve was 
placed in a thick piece of woods some two hundred 
yards back from the river, where they soon built 
a group of very pretty rustic houses, with pickets on 
the tow-path between the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal 
and the river. This duty was made as pleasant as 
possible under the circumstances, and it was relieved 
from monotony by an occasional conversation with 
the rebel pickets a quarter of a mile away across the 
river, as well as by an occasional shot and by con- 
stant alarming rumors of raids by large forces of the 
enemy, which sometimes aroused the entire brigade. 
Very few men were killed or wounded, but it served 
to teach us that there was no certain time for rest 
in the front line, and it was an excellent training for 
the oflficers and men. Skirmishing drill was now be- 
gun and a school was opened for non-commissioned 
oflScers in tactics, bayonet exercise, and discipline, 
under charge of the first sergeant of Company F, James 
Murphy (afterwards a captain), an old Regular Army 
soldier. Very strict discipline was enforced through- 
out the entire regiment, — it was demanded by Colo- 
nel Lee of all the oflScers, and by them of all the men. 
It was much needed in the early days of the war, and 
it brought out an es'prit de corps which was of untold 
value later when the higher oflScers had to be replaced 
by the subalterns, and they by promotion from the 
ranks, and the well-earned reputation of the regiment 
was transferred to their hands. 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 19 

While on outpost duty at Camp Lee the officers 
got most excellent meals at a neighboring farmhouse 
occupied by Mrs. Chiswell, undoubtedly a Southerner 
and a Southern sympathizer, but who took good care 
of us in return for our protection to her property and 
her porkers. But we suspected her son of signalling 
to the enemy, and accordingly arrested him on the 
twenty-second. Our guard duty was soon increased 
to a detail of four companies who had to march two 
miles to Edwards Ferry, cross the canal there, and 
march four miles up the tow-path to support the picket 
guard. This was in addition to the two companies 
on outpost duty at Camp Lee, and made a detail of 
six companies at a time for duty outside of camp 
besides the duties inside. We therefore averaged five 
nights each week under arms. 

General Stone was a most active, vigilant officer, 
visiting his camps at all hours of the day and night, 
thoroughly inspecting the troops and attending to 
all the details of camp life. No officer on guard would 
dar sleep or neglect his duty, for General Stone might 
appear at any moment. He was an excellent discip- 
linarian. General Lander was very popular in the 
brigade, — a fine, dashing officer with horse to 
match, — ^but very impatient at our inactivity, which 
was so different from his experience with his rough 
Californians in the Pah Ute War. 

On September 25, we had our first brigade in- 
spection by General Lander. The following day 
was Governor Andrew's Thanksgiving Day, and we 
observed it by omitting our usual drills, which was a 
pleasant relief. On the twenty-ninth a party of twenty- 
three recruits arrived, and with them our full band, 
consisting of a leader and twenty-three musicians. 
At 4 p. M. of the same day, which was Sunday, the 



20 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Colonel held services for such of the men as wished 
to attend. That night we had our first frost. On the 
thirtieth Captain Sweeny resigned, and First Lieu- 
tenant Babo took command of his company (G). 

On October 2 and 3 fifty men from Baker's Cali- 
fornia regiment, wounded and wearied, were brought 
or marched up the river from the attack on Munson's 
Hill. We sent down ambulances and wagons for them, 
and brought them into our camp, and took care of 
them. On the morning of the fourth the Confederates 
opened fire on Edwards Ferry and fired six shot and 
shell from field-pieces; our battery replied with fifty- 
four shot and shell, but neither side did any damage, 
although we drove their battery from its position. 
We received on the same day a visit from the Sanitary 
Commissioners, who examined the camp very thor- 
oughly, but finally wound up with a compliment on 
its appearance and management. That afternoon we 
had more chaffing from a rebel picket, who asked, 
with his thumb on his nose, "When are you going 
to Richmond.^" To which we replied, "The day be- 
fore you go to Washington." One evening General 
Stone, while making a reconnoissance in a boat along 
the canal, was challenged by one of our pickets. He 
gave the countersign, and was rowing away, when the 
sentry shouted, "God damn you! If you don't come 
back and give an account of yourself, I '11 blow your 
damned head off, as I would anybody's who rows 
about the canal at such an untimely hour, disturbing 
quiet folks!" The sentry was considerably taken 
aback when he found out who the visitor was! 

We had now begun drilling in platoon firing from 
twelve to two o'clock daily to improve the shooting 
of the men. Many of them, we found, shut their eyes 
when they pulled the trigger, and bang went the gun, 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 21 

northeast or southwest as accident determined. The 
Andrew Sharpshooters were detached from the Twen- 
tieth on the third at Colonel Lee's request, because 
they would not submit to the discipline insisted on by 
him. They had been enlisted as a separate company, 
and thought that they were to be simply sharp- 
shooters, and to be, therefore, exempt from discip- 
line and restraint. The strictness of the discipline 
in the Twentieth, commenced by Colonel Lee and 
continued by all successive commanders of the regi- 
ment, is illustrated by the order of October 5, which 
again insists on the strict observance hy officers as 
well as men of the regulation enforcing silence after 
taps. 

On the fifth Captain Walleston went home on leave, 
and Lieutenants Capen and Day resigned, leaving us 
on the seventh. We received orders on the after- 
noon of the sixth to pack up, be ready to march, and 
to sleep with one eye open, — with a rumor at head- 
quarters that we were going to retreat. It turned out 
a false alarm, as usual. On the eighth we had a grand 
review by General Lander, and on the tenth Lieuten- 
ant Perry was sent to Washington with our pay-rolls. 
On the seventh, in order to keep the men in camp 
and avoid the necessity of their going to Poolesville, 
Private Goodridge was allowed to open a tent for 
the sale of tobacco, etc. 

We now began ambulance drills from ten to eleven 
o'clock each day, in which we exercised the band, 
twenty-four in number, and a detail of one man from 
each company, and used five ambulances and one 
two-horse spring-wagon. They were taught to com- 
press an artery, put on a tourniquet (or make one from 
a handkerchief if a regular one was not to be had), 
to put on bandages, carry men in litters and put them 



22 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

into the ambulance, each man taking his turn in the 
different exercises and in pretending to be wounded. 

We built ovens and had the luxury of soft bread, 
which was a great relief after our steady diet of hard 
tack. So pleased were we with this change that we 
sent six loaves as a present to Governor Andrew, who 
acknowledged their receipt with thanks of apprecia- 
tion, although their softness must have vanished 
long before they reached him. However, it was cur- 
rently reported that we were the only Massachusetts 
regiment that was fed in this luxurious manner. Be- 
sides being a reminder of the family table and "home, 
sweet home," this baking enabled us to begin saving 
something from our rations in order to accumulate 
company and regimental funds. To carry this pro- 
perly into effect, Lieutenant Wesselhoef t was appointed 
post treasurer. The company kitchens were then 
enclosed with fences, the cooks were reduced to two 
to a company, a sergeant was detailed from each com- 
pany to inspect the rations, kitchens, and cooks, and 
only these three men and the company oflficers were 
allowed in the kitchens. Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey, 
Major Revere, and Captain Bartlett were appointed 
to act as council of administration for the regiment. 
On Sunday, the thirteenth, Lieutenant-Colonel Pal- 
frey read the service in camp. 

We found, in comparison with the troops from other 
states, that we were much better provided with every- 
thing, — in fact, we were fully equipped. Such was 
the dearth of horses and wagons among the other 
troops that ours were severely overworked in helping 
out the others. In this work we had one day twenty- 
two wagons, forty-four men, and eighty-eight horses 
detailed away from the regiment. But when Colonel 
Lee was asked by the Commanding General if he had 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 23 

arms, uniforms, accoutrements, etc., he answered 
proudly, "My regiment, sir, came from Massachu- 
setts!" And our colonel did his share in keeping us 
ready for any call, so that, when he was asked in 
what condition and when he could march, he replied, 
*'At sight order — 650 rifles, with 60 rounds of am- 
munition and five days' rations." This he put in 
writing, and, when ordered, we did march in thirty 
minutes after the orderly handed the orders to him. 

On the 11th, Captain Herchenroder sent in his 
resignation, which was accepted November 7, and 
Lieutenants Messer and Sturgis were temporarily 
assigned to Companies G and F, while Lieutenants 
Milton and Le Barnes were ordered back from re- 
cruiting service. On the 12th Governor Andrew com- 
missioned our senior first lieutenant, Babo, captain 
of Company G in place of Captain Sweeny resigned; 
Second Lieutenant Milton, first lieutenant of Com- 
pany C in place of Lieutenant Babo (Second Lieu- 
tenant Abbott refusing promotion because it would 
carry him out of Company I); and William F. Per- 
kins, a clerk in our quartermaster's department, sec- 
ond lieutenant in Company G in place of Lieutenant 
Milton. As the official notice from the War Depart- 
ment of the acceptance of Captain Sweeny's resigna- 
tion was mislaid at the State House for two months, 
the above commissions were held until after poor 
Babo was killed at Ball's Bluff, so that he never re- 
ceived his. Mr. Perkins declined his because he had 
just accepted an appointment in the Quartermaster's 
Department in Washington; but he surrendered that 
position in the following January on being again 
commissioned. 

Another batch of nine recruits joined the regi- 
ment on the 13th, and Lieutenants Le Barnes and 



M THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Milton brought five more with them a few days later, 
making, with the one enlisted in Philadelphia, sixty- 
three recruits since we left Massachusetts. 

ball's bluff 

The monotonous routine of the Corps of Obser- 
vation, with its daily drills and its weekly details for 
picket on the tow-path of the Chesapeake & Ohio 
Canal, was interrupted just after dinner on Sunday, 
October 20, by the call to arms which resulted in 
the affair known as the Battle of Ball's Bluff. This 
affair — begun as a simple reconnoissance — can only 
be dignified with the name of a battle because of 
the terrible losses suffered by the participating regi- 
ments. 

On Saturday, October 19, General Stone, on ex- 
amining a 4eserter, — a colored teamster of the Thir- 
teenth Mississippi, — was told that the rebels in Lees- 
burg were in alarm because they expected General 
Stone to attack them, and had sent back their heavy 
baggage, evidently expecting to be driven back to 
Carter's Mills and Manassas. This seems to have sug- 
gested to General Stone that now was a good oppor- 
tunity for an attack in the direction of Leesburg. 

The force for the defence of Leesburg and vicinity 
was what was known as the Seventh Brigade, com- 
manded by General N. G. Evans, of Beauregard's 
First Corps of the Army of the Potomac, consisting 
of the Eighth Virginia, Thirteenth, Seventeenth, and 
Eighteenth Mississippi regiments of infantry, three 
companies of cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel Jeni- 
fer, and six guns. 

Against this force General Stone had on the Mary- 
land shore his division composed of Gorman's, Lan- 
der's, and Baker's brigades, which contained in all 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 25 

eleven regiments of infantry, one company of sharp- 
shooters, six companies of cavalry, and three batteries 
of eighteen guns. It had about eighty-four hundred 
present for duty; but of this force he only attempted 
to cross at Ball's Bluff ten companies of the Fifteenth 
Massachusetts of Gorman's brigade ; seven companies 
of the Twentieth Massachusetts, five companies of the 
Forty-second New York of Lander's brigade; eight 
companies of the First California of Baker's brig- 
ade; two mountain howitzers and one rifled gun. As 
three of these companies did not arrive until the battle 
was lost, we can count as our greatest force twenty- 
seven companies from four different regiments and 
three different brigades — all without experience, hav- 
ing been in the field only one month, never having been 
in battle, and unacquainted with each other or their 
commanders. 

On October 19 all the Confederate infantry was 
encamped some eight miles back from the Potomac; 
but on that evening General Evans says that he was 
alarmed by our artillery firing, although it was not 
heavy or unusual enough to be mentioned in our re- 
ports, and he therefore ordered up all his brigade. 
They moved up in the early morning of the 20th, and 
took position on the Leesburg and Alexandria Turn- 
pike at the crossing of Goose Creek, about three 
miles southeast of Leesburg. There they remained 
until the next day prepared to resist an advance 
by General Stone from Edwards Ferry. No other 
force was moved by them, and no thought seems to 
have entered their minds of an attack by us from any 
other point until their pickets were driven in, back of 
Ball's Bluff. 

On our side, General McClellan had on the 19th 
sent out General McCall's two divisions next on 



26 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

General Stone's left to make reconnoissances, princi- 
pally to enable the engineers to make maps. McCall 
occupied Dranesville from the 19th to 8 a. m. of the 
21st and sent out parties in all directions, one of which 
came within six miles of the bridge over Goose Creek, 
where General Evans had concentrated his force on the 
20th, but McCall did not discover them. On the 19th, 
General Stone reported to General McClellan the 
deserter's story of alarm in Leesburg and prepara- 
tions for retreat; and on Sunday, the 20th, General 
Banks telegraphed to General McClellan that his 
signal-tower reported that the rebels had moved away 
from Leesburg. General McClellan then notified 
Stone that McCall was at Dranesville, and ordered 
him (received 11 a. m.) to " keep a good lookout upon 
Leesburg, to see if this movement has the effect to 
drive them away." In response to this suggestion 
General Stone brought some additional infantry and 
cavalry under General Gorman to Edwards Ferry, 
where he made his own headquarters and displayed 
them, fired a few shell, and sent over three boat-loads 
of men, one hundred and five in all, who remained 
on the Virginia side until dark. At 1 p. m. of the same 
day, October 20, he ordered Colonel Devens of the 
Fifteenth Massachusetts, who then had five com- 
panies picketing the river opposite Harrison's Island, 
with an advanced post on the island itself, to put the 
whole of this force onto the island at 3 p. m. and to 
move two flatboats from the canal into the river. 
He also ordered him to send Captain Philbrick and 
twenty men across to Ball's Bluff to reconnoitre in the 
direction of Leesburg and to retire and report on 
the discovery of any enemy. He also ordered the Nine- 
teenth Massachusetts to replace the five companies 
of the Fifteenth on picket on the tow-path, and he 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 27 

ordered the Tammany regiment (Forty-second New 
York) to Conrad's Ferry. 

At the same time General Stone also ordered a bat- 
talion of the Twentieth Massachusetts to the tow- 
path, opposite Harrison's Island. Colonel Lee and 
Adjutant Peirson left camp immediately with Com- 
panies I and D, making a total of one hundred and 
two officers and men, marched to Edwards Ferry, 
crossed the canal, and marched up the tow-path to 
the point indicated. They were followed by Major 
Revere and Companies A, C, E, G, and H of the 
Twentieth Massachusetts. 

Stone reported to General McClellan (received 
that evening) that he had made his feint of crossing, 
and the enemy's pickets had retired to their intrench- 
ments (evidently the Edwards Ferry operation) ; and 
that "at the same time" he had "started a recon- 
noitring party towards Leesburg from Harrison's 
Island," from which "report was not yet received;" 
adding, "I have means of crossing 125 men once in ten 
minutes at each of two points. River falling slowly." 
As General Stone thus reported the completion of 
the "demonstration" suggested, and reported in ad- 
dition only a reconnoissance, adding information 
that means for the return of the party were ample; 
and as he made no further report until the telegram 
sent at 9.45 the next morning. General McClellan 
was justified in considering that his order of the 20th 
had been completed, and that nothing more was re- 
quired in that direction, unless the report of the recon- 
noissance should suggest some new plan. He was 
somewhat negligent, perhaps, in not notifying Stone 
of the recall of McCall from Dranesville, which 
he apparently did not order until after he had re- 
ceived this report of Stone. But on the contrary, 



28 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Stone had now completed the order of General Mc- 
Clellan which referred to McCall's presence at Dranes- 
ville, and had no right to do anything more without 
orders, especially to count on support from troops 
of a separate division, without a clear understand- 
ing with the commander-in-chief, or at least a noti- 
fication to him of any proposed movement of his own 
troops if there were not time to wait for distinct 
orders. 

The detachment of the Fifteenth crossed to Har- 
rison's Island, while the Twentieth dozed supperless 
on the tow-path. Under General Stone's orders Cap- 
tain Philbrick and twenty men of the Fifteenth crossed 
to the Virginia shore and moved cautiously inland by 
a narrow path through the woods to a point about 
three quarters of a mile from shore without meeting 
a picket. There they discovered what appeared to 
be a rebel camp, and with this important information 
they came back and transmitted it to General Stone, 
who received it at 10 p. m. Stone, as we have seen, 
had got into his head the idea that there were no troops 
at Leesburg, or at any rate that they would not make 
a stand. Having also the idea that McCall was still 
close at hand on his left as support, he thought this 
discovery of Captain Philbrick's gave him a good 
opportunity to make a strike and earn some glory. He 
therefore, without any consultation with, or even 
notification to. General McClellan, ordered the five 
companies of the Fifteenth to cross immediately to 
Virginia and capture and destroy this camp at day- 
break, and then to return to the Maryland shore. 

The first two companies of the Twentieth were 
also ordered to cross to the Virginia shore to cover 
the retreat of Colonel Devens's force if it should be 
driven back. The remainder of the Twentieth Bat- 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 29 

talion (five companies) was ordered to Harrison's 
Island, and instructed to transport a four-oared boat 
from the Maryland to the Virginia side of the island. 
Lieutenant French, First United States iVrtillery, was 
also ordered with two mountain howitzers to the island. 
Colonel Devens was given discretion to stay on the 
Virginia side if he should obtain a position which he 
could undoubtedly hold against superior numbers 
until reenforced. Lieutenant-Colonel Ward and the 
remaining five companies of the Fifteenth Massa- 
chusetts were ordered to be at the tow-path opposite 
Harrison's Island at daybreak. Colonel Baker was 
ordered to have the First California at Conrad's Ferry 
at sunrise, and the remainder of his brigade ready to 
move after an early breakfast. 

Colonel Lee, with Companies I and D of the Twen- 
tieth, crossed to the island at about 11 p. m., taking 
with them the two howitzers. Our other five com- 
panies immediately followed I and D as far as the 
island. From midnight until 4 a. m. of Monday, the 
21st, was occupied in ferrying these seven companies 
— first the five companies of the Fifteenth and then 
Company I followed by Company D of the Twen- 
tieth — across the river in a small metallic lifeboat 
which could carry sixteen, and two little skiffs, hold- 
ing four and five respectively, making total transport- 
ation twenty-five at a trip, all told. Major Revere 
and the other five companies of the Twentieth, with 
the howitzers, were left on the island till noon. 

For the purpose of the original scouting party of 
twenty men this spot was well selected, for they had 
but a narrow strip of river to cross where the enemy 
had no pickets, and could land in woods, make their 
reconnoissance, retreat to their boats, and escape 
easily to the island, where they would be immediately 



30 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

protected by the buildings, etc. For a "cutting-out" 
raid by four hundred and twenty-nine men, with trans- 
portation requiring seventeen trips to bring them off, 
it was certainly hazardous, but under the circum- 
stances as supposed to have been discovered, allow- 
able. Harrison's Island is a perfectly flat island over 
two miles long and three hundred yards wide oppo- 
site the bluff, separated from the Maryland shore 
by about five hundred yards of river, which the cur- 
rent increased to about seven hundred yards, this 
being the length of the course taken by the boats 
until the rope-ferry was rigged. There were about 
one hundred and fifty yards of water between the 
island and the Virginia shore, but, as there was no 
rope for the ferry here, the boats and swimmers went 
nearly double that distance. The point of landing 
was a bluff, fully one hundred feet high and too steep 
to climb up straight, covered with trees, rocks, and 
bushes. A narrow sheep-path wound around to the 
top. Up this little path all of the men had to go in 
single file, and the rifled gun when brought over later 
had to be dismounted and dragged up by hand. 

After reaching the top of the bluff between 4 and 
5 A. M. the troops waited till dawn. Company I was 
formed on the right and Company D on the left of 
the little path that there led off into the woods, while 
Lieutenant Macy with twenty-five men was posted 
in rear to guard the road from the bluff. Instructions 
from Colonel Lee were that the companies of the 
Twentieth were a reserve to the Fifteenth, and if the 
latter were driven back, must open for it to escape 
and then stand firm. The Twentieth occupied this 
position until nine o'clock. 

At daybreak Colonel Devens and his five companies 
started up the little road which ran through the open 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 31 

field in front and curved to the left towards Lees- 
burg. They followed this road nearly half a mile 
through the woods until they reached a pair of bars 
(B) in a heavy rail fence on the further edge of the 
woods. Beyond this was a field, about the same size 
as that on the bluff, with some trees in it, extending 
on the right to the Conrad's Ferry Road. On the op- 
posite side of this field was a slight ridge on which 
was a single row of trees (A), and beyond this was 
open country, broken only by stacks of corn. Here 
the mistake of the reconnoitring party, which had 
believed in the moonlight that the openings between 
the trees were tents, in row, was first discovered. 

Colonel Devens, Captain Philbrick, and two or 
three men, leaving the detachment at the bars, went 
to the other side of the ridge where they had 'a good 
view of Leesburg, but could see only four tents. They 
then returned, and at 6.30 a. m. Colonel Devens sent 
his quartermaster. Lieutenant Howe, to report to 
General Stone at Edwards Ferry that the camp was 
a myth, but that he had not been discovered and he 
thought that he could remain until reinforced. 

About seven o'clock a scouting party, consisting 
of Adjutant Peirson, First Sergeant Riddle, and three 
men of Company I, on a voyage of discovery in the 
woods on the right (a similar party was investigating 
on our left), peered too incautiously into a gully and 
were greeted by two or three shots from rebel pickets, 
one of which went through poor Riddle's right elbow. 
These were the first shots fired, and he was the first 
man wounded on either side. He was immediately 
sent over to the island. 

This firing started up the picket reserve of the rebels, 
Captain Duff's company of the Seventeenth Missis- 
sippi, who soon discovered Colonel Devens's party 



32 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

and was discovered by them about 7.30. Colonel 
Devens then ordered Captain Philbriek to attack 
them, and sent Captain Rockwood to cut them off 
from Conrad's Ferry. Quite a hot skirmish then fol- 
lowed at eight o'clock in the open country beyond 
the ridge, and the enemy retreated to the road be- 
tween Leesburg and Conrad's Ferry. Captain Fore- 
hand was then ordered up to reenforce Captain Phil- 
brick, when a force of cavalry was seen approaching 
from our left. This was three companies under Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Jenifer, — the Loudoun, Chesterfield, 
and Madison companies. Colonel Devens then at 8.15 
retired to his first position at the bars and waited 
there half an hour, expecting an attack. As no attack 
was made, he retired at 8.45 to the bluff where the 
Twentieth companies were. 

Colonel Devens had now accomplished all that he 
was sent to do. If he and Colonel Lee had recrossed 
the river at this time, they could have done so with- 
out the loss of another man, for over two hours of 
quiet now elapsed before any movement whatever 
was made by the enemy. But Major Revere's five 
additional companies of the Twentieth and the two 
howitzers were close at hand on the Island, with the 
other five companies of the Fifteenth on the tow-path, 
as reenforcements. These ofl&cers also found that the 
transportation had been more than doubled by the 
addition of a scow, brought around the upper end of 
the island during the morning by Major Revere, so 
that fully sixty-five men instead of twenty-five could 
now be taken at a time, and the trips for the force 
now in Virginia could be reduced from seventeen to 
seven, and the time to an hour and a quarter. As Colo- 
nel Devens was momentarily expecting the return of 
Lieutenant Howe with definite orders from General 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 33 

Stone, he used the discretion given him and waited in 
Virginia. But at nine o'clock, as Lieutenant Howe 
had not arrived, Colonel Devens thoroughly scouted 
the woods and moved forward again to his position 
of outpost at the bars. Colonel Jenifer, it appears, 
returned at that time to Fort Evans between Lees- 
burg and Edwards Ferry, probably because Gen- 
eral Evans expected an advance by Generals Stone 
and Gorman on his right flank. When Colonel De- 
vens moved forward the second time, the two com- 
panies of the Twentieth formed line on the right of 
the open field facing south. 

At 7.45 A. M. General Stone at Edwards Ferry re- 
ceived through Lieutenant Howe the first news from 
Colonel Devens's party, viz. : his report of 6.30, tell- 
ing him that there was no camp as previously re- 
ported; that he had reconnoitred in sight of Lees- 
burg and could see only four tents; that he had 
not been discovered ; and that he had a good position 
which he could hold until reenforcements should 
come up. The eight o'clock skirmish had not then 
come off, and no firing had been heard, so that he had 
no suspicion that Colonel Devens had been discov- 
ered. Under these circumstances, with the idea that 
General McCall was still at Dranesville, perhaps mov- 
ing up to support him, and with the impression gained 
from the colored deserter that the rebels would fall 
back now apparently confirmed, General Stone de- 
cided to send over more troops. But he did not send 
them as a direct reenforcement to Colonel Devens, 
but with careful instructions to establish a secure base 
of operations on the Virginia side at Smart's Mill, and 
he sent also some cavalry to act as scouts and to keep 
up communication between Colonel Devens and this 
new base. Smart's Mill was a heavy stone mill, half 



34 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

a mile above Ball's Bluff, but on low ground level 
with the river, and with perfectly open fields all about 
it. These fields were within easy range of, and com- 
pletely swept by, the guns which General Stone placed 
for this very purpose on the much higher ground on 
the Federal side of the river. This position the troops 
could easily have held if driven back from the bluff. 
Here also was a ford to the island, used by the farmers 
in low water for the carrying over of hay and produce, 
and easily fordable in ordinary water. On this day 
General Stone says it was fordable for cavalry but 
not for artillery. 

General Stone sent Lieutenant Howe back with 
orders to Colonel Devens to hold his position, noti- 
fying him that Lieutenant-Colonel Ward and the other 
five companies of the Fifteenth would shortly cross 
and take position at Smart's Mill, and that he would 
send ten cavalrymen for scouting and to keep up 
communication between him and Smart's Mill. Stone 
sent a corresponding order to Lieutenant-Colonel 
Ward, and sent over Captain Candy, General Lander's 
assistant adjutant-general, with ten cavalrymen. He 
also ordered the Forty-second New York from Con- 
rad's Ferry to the tow-path opposite Harrison's Island. 

It was not until 9.45, two hours after Stone received 
Devens's first report, that he reported the reconnois- 
sance of the thirty cavalry at Edwards Ferry to Gen- 
eral McClellan, adding simply that five companies 
of the Fifteenth Massachusetts had crossed at Harri- 
son's Island and had proceeded to within a mile and 
a half of Leesburg without meeting the enemy, and 
that they still held on, supported by the remainder 
of the Fifteenth and part of the Twentieth Massachu- 
setts. Not a word does he say about the movements 
of the rest of his division, all now ordered out, or about 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 35 

a base on the Virginia shore at Smart's Mill, nor does 
he suggest any dissatisfaction with his transportation 
or his position opposite Harrison's Island, nor does 
he breathe a suggestion of the benefit of support by 
McCall or anybody else. The tone of this dispatch 
is one of perfect satisfaction with his situation and 
prospects, so much so that McClellan's reply is only 
a congratulation, with a request for constant inform- 
ation. 

Lieutenant Howe, with these orders from General 
Stone, reached Colonel Devens soon after nine o'clock, 
just after he had reached his advanced position for 
the second time. At 9.30 Colonel Devens sent him 
back to General Stone to report the changed condi- 
tion of affairs, — his discovery by the enemy and his 
eight o'clock skirmish, — and then he threw out skir- 
mishers to the ridge in front and on the right and left, 
and waited. Colonel Lee also sent a carefully worded 
message to General Stone by Lieutenant Howe that 
the Twentieth companies were on the Virginia shore, 
and if the Government designed to open a campaign 
at that time and on that field, they had made a lodg- 
ment, but would want reenf orcements ; that the 
means of transportation were small ; and that subsist- 
ence was required. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Ward's battalion crossed to 
the island and began to move up it, intending to cross 
at Smart's Mill as ordered. But on Lieutenant Howe's 
telling him that Colonel Devens was hard pressed 
and needed him (Colonel Devens sent no such mes- 
sage), Ward changed direction and crossed at the bluff 
and joined Colonel Devens as quickly as possible, 
the last of his force reaching him about eleven o'clock. 
Captain Candy and his ten cavalrymen crossed also 
at this place, but did not go beyond the bluff, and con- 



36 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

sequently did not report to Colonel Devens or any- 
body else, and then crossed back again. Thus Gen- 
eral Stone's plans, which were most excellent in this 
respect, miscarried in both particulars. If Smart's 
Mill had then been seized and taken as a base, no dis- 
aster would have happened. Even if forced from the 
field, the troops could easily have fallen back on this 
base, which could have been held without difficulty, 
and the men could have been easily all ferried back 
during the night. 

Colonel Baker had carried out fully General 
Stone's orders of the 20th. He had brought the 
First California to Edwards Ferry early on the 21st, 
and now held the remainder of his brigade in camp 
under arms awaiting orders to march. He then rode 
to Edwards Ferry and reported to General Stone 
about 10.45 a. m. This meeting was certainly just 
before the arrival of Lieutenant Howe with Colonel 
Devens's second message, for Colonel Baker on his 
way up the river to take command at Ball's Bluff met 
Lieutenant Howe coming down with the message 
sent at 9.50 by Colonel Devens. Therefore General 
Stone's idea at that time of the state of affairs with 
Colonel Devens was what that officer had reported 
at 6.30, four hours and a quarter before, — that the 
camp was a myth, that there were no rebels in sight, 
and he could hold on until reenforced. In addition 
to that information was his own order to Lieutenant- 
Colonel Ward to establish a base at Smart's Mill with 
five companies, and to Captain Candy to take over 
ten cavalrymen for scouts. It is possible that he had 
heard the firing in the smart skirmish that Colonel 
Devens had had at eight o'clock, but even that, if 
heard, was not sufficient then to make him feel that 
there was to be a battle on the right. He therefore 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 37 

remained at Edwards Ferry as the most important 
part of his line, as it would have been, if he had made 
it so, or if his old idea of a supporting movement by 
McCall had had foundation. General Evans con- 
sidered it the principal point of attack and paid slight 
attention to Colonel Devens's force until Stone's 
inactivity freed his troops there for his successful 
attack at Ball's Bluff. 

Colonel Baker, after reporting to General Stone at 
Edwards Ferry and after full discussion and explan- 
ation of plans, was sent by him at about eleven o'clock 
with a written order to assume command at Harri- 
son's Island on his arrival, and to use his discretion 
about recalling the troops already over or reenforcing 
them. Just after Colonel Baker left General Stone 
with this order, he met Quartermaster Howe coming 
down the river, who told him of Colonel Devens's 
eight o'clock skirmish and the discovery of the rebel 
cavalry. When halfway to Harrison's Island he met 
Lieutenant Dodge of the Nineteenth Massachusetts, 
who had been sent to tell him that " Reenf orcements 
are called for!" Quartermaster Howe, on leaving 
Colonel Baker, continued on down the river and made 
the same report to General Stone that he had just 
made to Baker. Stone immediately, at 11.10, made 
his second announcement to General McClellan about 
his movement: "The enemy have been engaged 
opposite Harrison's Island, our men behaving ad- 
mirably." At the same time he sent his first notifica- 
tion to General Banks of his move in similar words. 
General McClellan instantly telegraphed General 
McCall to remain at Dranesville, but it was too late, 
for McCall had already reached his own camp. Mc- 
Clellan then telegraphed McCall and Banks to hold 
their divisions in readiness for an immediate move- 



38 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

ment, but he did this without any suggestion from 
Stone of possible need of support. McClellan also 
telegraphed Stone, asking the size of the force oppos- 
ing him, and how many men he would need for the 
capture of Leesburg, which he might order done that 
day, and offering him the support of Banks's division. 
But no dispatches are in existence between McClellan 
and Stone about support from the direction of Dranes- 
ville until McClellan suggested it, when he ordered 
him to take Leesburg. This was probably about 3.30 
p. M. 

Lieutenant Howe also informed General Stone that 
Lieutenant-Colonel Ward had joined Colonel Devens 
with his five companies instead of occupying Smart's 
Mill. To this General Stone replied that Colonel 
Baker had now full command and would arrange as 
he thought best. This information Lieutenant Howe 
then took to Colonel Devens, reaching him just before 
the 12.30 attack. This remark would indicate that 
General Stone had discussed the Smart's Mill position 
with Colonel Baker and had thoroughly explained his 
plan about that, as well as all other contingencies. 

What now had General Stone been doing in the 
way of active work with his own column at Edwards 
Ferry ? At 7 a. m. he sent over Major Mix, three offi- 
cers, and thirty-one men of the Third New York Cav- 
alry and his assistant adjutant-general to reconnoitre 
with two companies of the First Minnesota in sup- 
port. They advanced a short distance and were speed- 
ily driven in by the Thirteenth Mississippi, but re- 
mained on the Virginia shore. 

Up to 10.30 General Stone had made a show of 
troops on the Maryland side that had kept the entire 
rebel force, excepting one company of the Seventeenth 
Mississippi (for Lieutenant-Colonel Jenifer and the 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 39 

cavalry had been called back), watching him near 
Goose Creek. The force there was about fifteen hun- 
dred in line, — infantry, cavalry, and artillery, — while 
General Evans's force was a little over three thousand. 
But' General Stone sent over no more troops, although 
he had plenty with him, until he heard from Baker 
about 2.15 that he had decided to cross, and then he 
sent over only about a thousand more men. But they 
made no advance or even demonstration sufficient 
to retain the rebel troops in their front. 

General Evans by ten or half-past made up his 
mind that the movement on his right was only a feint, 
and turned his attention to Colonel Devens's detach- 
ment. He sent Colonel Jenifer with three companies 
of cavalry and five of infantry to attack the advanced 
line. By outflanking the skirmish line on the left, 
soon after eleven o'clock, they captured a few men, 
but the main line held its position behind the rail 
fence, and with such ease that Colonel Devens made 
no mention of this attack in his report. As this was 
after Lieutenant-Colonel Ward had joined Colonel 
Devens, he had then ten companies to the rebel eight, 
the only time during the day that his force was supe- 
rior. 

Colonel Baker must have reached the point in the 
tow-path opposite Harrison's Island at 11.30 a. m., 
or within a few minutes later. As he did not reach the 
bluff until fully 2 p. m., he must have spent the inter- 
vening two hours and a half (including the time re- 
quired for his crossing) in arranging the rope-ferry 
across the Maryland channel, and other details of 
transportation, and in hurrying over reenforcements. 
It is evident that Colonel Baker on his arrival was 
shocked at the criminal lack of transportation, and 
therefore waited to improve this important branch 



40 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

on the Maryland side. But he, as commander of this 
hitherto headless wing, was too important a man for 
such work, and he should have found some compe- 
tent subordinate to whom it could be entrusted. But 
imagine his feelings on reaching the Virginia side 
of the island ! There the boats were so few and small 
— even with the addition of the scow — that they 
could carry but one company at a trip and make 
but four trips in an hour, so that it would require at 
least three hours to bring back the twelve companies 
already over there, and they were now pressed by 
seventeen companies of the enemy! That was well- 
nigh a hopeless undertaking. To reenforce them was 
almost as difficult, but that offered some prospect of 
success, although but a "forlorn hope." 

It is impossible to tell now what plans had been 
discussed, and what instructions given at the inter- 
view between General Stone and Colonel Baker at 
eleven o'clock. It must be remembered that neither 
officer then knew of the discovery of the rebels and 
the eight o'clock skirmish. It is not known what pro- 
mise of assistance from Edwards Ferry may have 
^been made by General Stone, nor what expectations 
of aid from General McCall in the direction of Dranes- 
ville may have been mentioned by General Stone, nor 
how strongly he emphasized the establishment of a 
base at Smart's Mill, in case the movement should 
be continued by Colonel Baker. As Stone had never 
been notified by General McClellan of McCall's with- 
drawal, he undoubtedly expected, and had some reason 
to count on assistance from that direction. Gen- 
eral Stone probably intended, as soon as McCall's 
advance should be discovered, to push his own force 
from Edwards Ferry to Leesburg, and thus draw 
off all pressure from Baker. 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 41 

Whatever the understanding was in Colonel Baker's 
mind when he left General Stone, the news given him 
by Lieutenant Howe immediately afterwards of Colo- 
nel Devens's successful eight o'clock skirmish and 
the quotation of Colonel Lee's message to General 
Stone, exaggerated by this excited quartermaster to 
read that, if he wished to open the campaign in Vir- 
ginia, now was the time, followed by the call for 
reenforcements through Lieutenant Dodge before he 
reaches the island, may well have turned the scale in 
favor of crossing in the mind of an energetic brave 
man like Colonel Baker. His friends claim that this 
was the decision of a courageous, chivalric soldier 
not to desert his comrades. But this is hardly a fair 
statement of the situation, for his comrades in Vir- 
ginia were in no distress then and had uttered no cry 
for help, having fought only the successful skirmishes 
at eight and eleven o'clock, and held their position 
ever since with perfect ease. But yet Colonel Baker 
did receive calls for reenforcements. They came 
from the exaggerated talk of Lieutenant Howe, and 
from the messages of the men on the Maryland shore 
who had heard only the wild reports of the skulkers 
and the sound of the musketry, and were anxious 
to cross and join their comrades. It was perfectly 
natural and proper for Colonel Baker under these 
circumstances to desire, as a man, to cross over and 
fight ; but, as a general, his duty was to post himself 
fully on the situation first. 

At 11.50 General Stone, having heard, after Colo- 
nel Baker had left him, of Colonel Devens's eight 
o'clock skirmish, sent Baker a dispatch which he says 
was intended to be cautionary, in pursuance of the 
understanding between them that Baker was not to 
fight unless he was certain that he had a superior 



42 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

force, and in consequence of this later information of 
the discovery of the rebels. "I am informed that the 
force of the enemy is about 4000, all told. If you can 
push them, you may do so as far as to have a strong 
position near Leesburg, if you can keep them before 
you, avoiding their batteries. If they pass Leesburg, 
. . . you will not follow far, but seize the first good 
position. . . . Their design is to draw us on. Report 
frequently, so that, when they are pushed, Gorman 
can come in on their flank." While there is no word 
of explicit caution in this dispatch, it will bear that 
interpretation; but it all depends on the conversation 
and the understanding reached at eleven o'clock. 

General Stone in this dispatch distinctly approves 
of Colonel Baker's crossing to Ball's Bluff. He says 
nothing about four thousand men being rather too 
many for Colonel Baker to handle with his force, 
which wpuld have been forty-three companies, a to- 
tal of not over twenty-six hundred men, even if he 
could have carried over all of the First California, 
the Forty-second New York, and the Nineteenth 
Massachusetts also; nor does he promise that he 
would himself neutralize as large a part of them as 
possible. He says not a word about making a base at 
Smart's Mill, or of utilizing the ford there, which even 
at this high water was but little over waist-deep. He 
merely notifies Baker that, when his small wing can 
drive such of the enemy's four thousand as choose to 
attack him, he will fall on their flank. But General 
Gorman, in his position opposite Edwards Ferry, 
was already on the flank and rear of any force that 
might be fighting Baker! The more that force should 
retire from Baker, the more they would bring Gorman 
in their front! So now, while Baker held their atten- 
tion, was the time for Gorman to do the pushing! 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 43 

As a matter of fact, General Stone did nothing. 
After he had sent the dispatch of 11.50 to Colonel 
Baker, he "washed his hands" as completely of any 
responsibility for that wing as if it had been trans- 
ferred to another department. Colonel Baker acknow- 
ledged the receipt of this dispatch at 1.30 at Conrad's 
Ferry (evidently the Maryland shore), while getting 
the rope-ferry rigged and before sending over any of' 
the guns or the First California or the Forty-second 
New York regiments, which, however, he said that 
he should do as rapidly as possible, adding that he 
should "feel cautiously" and hopes that Stone's 
" movement below will give advantage." Baker there- 
fore undoubtedly took the final responsibility of 
crossing, when he, on the spot, knew that he had 
only twelve companies in Virginia, with five more 
slowly and tediously crossing, in all eight hundred 
and ninety-three men, with a swift river behind them, 
to oppose a probable force of four thousand rebels. 
He was also fully aware of the shameful lack of boats ; 
and although he had twenty-six more companies 
ready for support, he knew that it would take eleven 
hours to put them and his three guns onto the Vir- 
ginia shore. He makes no reference either to Smart's 
Mill or to McCall, mentioning only the advantage 
hoped for from Stone's own movement. 

No further dispatches passed between Stone and 
Baker, and to the latter fell the entire management 
of the battle, such as it was, from this time until his 
death. When Baker's reply was received by Stone, 
about 2.15, he began sending over more troops from 
Edwards Ferry. By the latter part of the after- 
noon, about six o'clock, his force on the Virginia side 
amounted to twenty-five hundred, including cavalry 
and artillery. But the cavalry did absolutely nothing. 



44 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

In the mean time General Stone had received 
General McClellan's dispatch which he answered 
at 1 p. M. : "I think Evans is 4000 strong, with per- 
haps four or more pieces of artillery, and say three 
pieces masked. Prisoners state that he expects reen- 
forcements. I believe that this command can occupy 
Leesburg to-day. We are a little short of boats." 
•And to McClellan's later specific inquiry about boats 
and roads. Stone replied, at 2.30, that he had at Har- 
rison's Island four flatboats (capacity forty-five men 
each) and four rowboats, being possibly ignorant 
of the fact that these were used in two ferries and 
that only sixty-five men could be transported at a 
time to Ball's Bluff, instead of over two hundred, as 
here intimated. Stone may have been deceived, but 
he should have known the facts, and he could easily 
have learned them long before. But Baker, even 
after he discovered this condition of affairs, does not 
seem to have notified Stone. 

In reply to this 2.20 dispatch of Stone's, so decep- 
tive about the transportation, McClellan telegraphs: 
*'. . . Call on Banks for whatever aid you need. Shall 
I push up a division or two on other side of river .^^ 
Take Leesburg." The other dispatches of Stone to 
McClellan and Banks breathe this same spirit of 
content and confidence, until Baker's death. 

Major Revere's force must have joined Colonel 
Lee between 1 and 2.15 p. m. The seven companies 
of the Twentieth were then posted by him to cover 
the path to the river, with their backs to the bluff, 
near the edge and facing west, with Company D 
thrown out as skirmishers on the left flank, and Com- 
pany H as skirmishers on the right flank, and the 
other five companies in line in the following order 
from left to right: A, G, C, E, I. The howitzers 
crossed immediately after Major Revere. 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 45 

At 12.30, just before Major Revere's force crossed, 
nine companies of the Eighth Virginia were sent to the 
support of Lieutenant-Colonel Jenifer, and another 
and stronger attack was made on Colonel Devens's 
left and front, but the Fifteenth Massachusetts 
maintained its ground. The rebel force was then 
seventeen companies against Colonel Devens's ten 
companies. As this largely superior force was per- 
sistently attempting to outflank him on the left, Colo- 
nel Devens retired about sixty paces to a new posi- 
tion which he held, sending back Lieutenant Howe 
three separate times to find Colonel Baker and get 
orders. Finally, at 2 p. m. Colonel Baker appeared 
on the bluff and sent orders to Colonel Devens to 
return to the open field by the bluff. 

Colonel Baker, as soon as he had arrived on the 
tow-path, gave orders to the first battalion of his own 
regiment (First California) to cross to Virginia, which 
they did immediately, taking from 2 to 4.30 p. m. to 
get onto the bluff, together with the rifled gun of the 
First Rhode Island Battery under command of Lieu- 
tenant Bramhall of the Sixth New York Battery. 
Colonel Baker, before crossing himself, ordered the 
Forty-second New York to follow the First Califor- 
nia, and the eight companies of the Nineteenth Massa- 
chusetts to cross after the Forty-second. From that 
time, 2 p. M., till 6, reenforcements were pushed over 
as fast as the transportation would allow. It took 
these four hours to carry over the eight companies 
of the First California, the rifled gun, and five com- 
panies of the Forty-second New York, for the fifth 
company was actually going over in the scow at the 
very moment of the final retreat down the bluff, 
while the remaining five companies of the Forty- 
second New York had been unable even to start from 



46 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the island, owing to dearth of boats. In fact, the third 
and fourth companies only reached the field after 
the battle was lost, and in time simply to make one 
charge to enable the men to retreat. None of the 
Nineteenth Massachusetts got beyond Harrison's 
Island, which their last company reached only at 
sunset. 

Colonel Baker himself crossed to the bluff at two 
o'clock and immediately took command. He ap- 
proved the position of the Twentieth Massachusetts, 
called back the Fifteenth Massachusetts, and placed 
eight companies of them at right angles to the Twen- 
tieth in the edge of the woods facing to the left (south) 
across the open field, with the left of their line over- 
lapping the right flank of the Twentieth, and deployed 
two companies of the Fifteenth as skirmishers in the 
woods on the right flank and rear of that regiment, 
with Company H, Twentieth Massachusetts, still 
farther out as skirmishers near the edge of the open 
field. If Colonel Baker had reached the field earlier, 
so that he could have consulted Colonels Lee and 
Devens and have examined the ground, he would 
probably have moved the reserves up to Colonel Dev- 
ens's strong position behind the rail fence in the woods, 
with the open field in front, extending his line as his 
reenforcements came up to the wooded hill on the left, 
from which the rebels afterwards made their most 
successful attack. As ten companies of the Fifteenth 
had held their position against seventeen companies 
without calling for reenforcements, the claim that they 
make to this day, that it could have been held through- 
out the battle if properly reenforced, is certainly reas- 
onable. 

But Baker had wasted a precious two hours in get- 
ting from the Maryland to the Virginia side, and conse- 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 47 

quently had scarcely half an hour to make his arrange- 
ments before the enemy opened the battle. He had 
not time enough to make a thorough examination 
of the ground, except in the open field at the top of 
the bluff. In fact, the Fifteenth Massachusetts was 
ordered back by him almost as soon as he arrived, 
so that he could not examine any of the ground in 
front, — the woods, the ravine, the hill, the second 
open space, the heavy rail fence, etc., but took posi- 
tion on the ground held by the Twentieth Massachu- 
setts and formed the Fifteenth on them as they fell 
back. All thought of General Stone's order to seize 
Smart's Mill seems to have vanished from everybody's 
mind since 10 a. m., when Lieutenant-Colonel Ward 
abandoned that plan. It is barely possible that it had 
never been suggested to Colonel Baker. At all events 
he seems never to have mentioned it to Colonels Lee 
or Devens. But he was apparently full of the oppor- 
tunity that we now had of whipping the enemy, and 
made no preparation for possible disaster. In fact, 
he had no time to think of a base, nor any spare 
troops to send to seize one. When Colonel Baker ar- 
rived on the bluff, he asked Colonel Lee if he had 
held that place with one hundred men since daybreak. 
On receiving an affirmative answer he, said, "It shall 
receive honorable mention, sir." 

Two companies of the California (Seventy-first 
Pennsylvania) regiment and the two howitzers and the 
rified gun reached the field before the battle opened. 
These companies were posted on the left flank of the 
Fifteenth Massachusetts, at right angles with Com- 
pany I, the right flank company of the Twentieth 
Massachusetts. The rifled gun was placed in front 
of the left flank company (A) of the Twentieth, and 
two howitzers in front of the right flank company (I). 



48 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

After the line was formed Colonel Baker said to Colo- 
nel Lee, "I congratulate you, sir, on the prospect of 
a battle." He then said to the men of the Twentieth, 
"Boys, you want to fight, don't you?" to which they 
responded with a hearty cheer. 

At 2.30 p. M. the enemy, having been reenforced 
by the remaining eight companies of the Eighteenth 
Mississippi, began an attack on the skirmishers on 
the right of our line, held by companies A and I of 
the Fifteenth and H of the Twentieth. At the com- 
mencement of this attack Captain John C. Putnam, 
commanding Company H, was wounded (losing his 
right arm at the shoulder) — the second man of the 
Twentieth hit — and was carried back to Harrison's 
Island. A heavy attack was then made upon our 
entire line, but more particularly on the centre and 
left, where the Twentieth and two companies of the 
California regiment were placed. One of our men in 
Company I, having during this attack taken good 
aim at a mounted officer on a white horse, undertook 
to pull the trigger and found to his surprise that he 
had already lost half the forefinger of his right hand 
by a rebel bullet without knowing it. He thinks that 
this alone saved the life of the Southerner. 

At this time the enemy had twenty-five companies 
engaged, while their opponents had nineteen com- 
panies and two howitzers. While the rebels never came 
out of the woods until the final charge, the Twenti- 
eth was posted in the open (except the skirmishers) 
and suffered terribly. It held that exposed posi- 
tion during the entire battle, three hours and a half. 
The Fifteenth Massachusetts and two companies of 
the California regiment were posted in the edge of 
the woods and therefore had considerable protection. 
The first volley that was fired at the Twentieth went 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 49 

rather high, for the aim of the rebels was diverted 
from us to the brilHant red lining of our gray Massa- 
chusetts overcoats, which had been hung in the trees 
near the edge of the bluff when we first landed. 

By 3.30 p. M. the Confederates, finding that they 
could not make any impression on the line, ordered 
up the remaining eight companies of the Seventeenth 
Mississippi, who came up on the double-quick and 
formed between the Eighth Virginia and Eighteenth 
Mississippi. While they were forming, the Eighth 
Virginia and the detached companies under Colonel 
Jenifer made a furious attack on the right and cen- 
tre, but were repulsed. This seems to have completely 
used up these troops, who fell back behind a ridge 
and lay down to rest and took no further part in the 
battle until the final charge. By this time Baker had 
succeeded in getting up three more companies of the 
California regiment, which were put in on the left of 
the line in the woods. The forces then stood thirty- 
three companies of Confederates to twenty-two com- 
panies of Federal troops. 

After the repulse of the Eighth Virginia and Colo- 
nel Jenifer's eight companies on the right, the two 
Mississippi regiments made a succession of charges 
on the centre and left. Captain Markoe, with two 
companies of the California regiment deployed as 
skirmishers, most gallantly repulsed the first charge 
of the Eighteenth Mississippi. These charges were 
all driven back, and the line was constantly, though 
slowly, reenforced at the rate of one company about 
every quarter of an hour. These were sent to the woods 
on the left as they came up. By five o'clock the re- 
maining three companies of the California regiment 
and the first company of the Tammany (Forty-second 
New York) and the rifled gun had arrived. The 



50 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

battle was now progressing very favorably for the 
Federal troops. They had repulsed every attack of 
the enemy and held their own line intact. The rifled 
gun assisted materially in repulsing the last charge, 
but it had no canister, only shell, unsuitable for close 
quarters. It was placed out in the open ground, with 
no protection whatever, but it was gallantly served, 
losing all its gunners before it had been fired many 
times. The recoil on its last discharge carried it over 
the bank. At this time the Confederate general, 
Evans, ordered up eight companies of the Thirteenth 
Mississippi at double-quick. 

About this time Colonel Baker, who had been con- 
spicuously brave, was instantly killed in front of the 
line. The nearest California and Twentieth Massa- 
chusetts men immediately rushed forward, brought 
in his body, and sent it back across the river. The 
Twentieth always thought that he was shot by a 
sharpshooter in the branches of a single tree in the 
middle of the field. Whether he was guilty or not, 
they soon brought down this object of. their suspi- 
cions. Colonel Baker's death caused no confusion 
or demoralization. Colonel Lee, as brave a man as 
Colonel Baker, had succeeded to the command with 
the agreement of Colonel Devens, and would have 
fought the battle out in that position, which had been 
held against every attack for three hours without 
losing a foot of ground. According to the Confed- 
erate reports, they had now sent for their last regi- 
ment, leaving only one company to hold back Gorman 
and one company to watch the road from Dranesville. 
There was not another man on whom they could call. 
It is said that the people in Leesburg were at that 
time fleeing from the town and that the rebels had 
made every preparation to retreat. 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 51 

But at that moment Colonel Cogswell of the Forty- 
second New York came up and claimed the com- 
mand by reason of seniority. Without entering into 
any discussion at that time the others yielded to his 
claim, and he took command. Colonel Cogswell had 
only come onto the field within half an hour (bring- 
ing the first company of his regiment and the rifled 
gun), and knew nothing of the position and its strength, 
nor of the success in repelling the enemy. He did not 
appreciate that the troops were holding their form- 
ation and position, nor did he know anything about 
Smart's Mill and its strength, so that General Stone 
and the troops at Edwards Ferry were the only re- 
fuge that offered to his mind, now that the transport- 
ation had proved insuflScient to bring over the com- 
rades anxious to help. He immediately decided to 
try to cut his way through to the left to join General 
Stone's force, supposed to have crossed at Edwards 
Ferry. For this purpose he called in the Fifteenth 
Massachusetts from their strong position in the edge 
of the woods on the right, and they moved into the 
position previously occupied by the left of their line. 
When this position was yielded, the enemy for the 
first time left the woods and advanced into the open 
field. Company I and part of Companies H and C of 
the Twentieth made a charge out into the field to se- 
cure and bring back the two howitzers, but were met 
by this full line of battle of the enemy, and slowly 
and sullenly retired. Captain Bartlett being the very 
last man to come back under a perfect shower of bul- 
lets. The entire line of battle was then faced to the 
left, and the head of the column, the California regi- 
ment and the Forty-second New York, moved out; 
but it was almost immediately stopped by heavy vol- 
leys at short range from the Mississippi troops on the 



52 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

rebel right. The Twentieth had not left the open 
field at all, and Colonel Lee himself had not reached 
the little road leading inland from the bluff, when 
the charge of the enemy on the exposed right flank 
of the rear of the column caused a suspension of the 
movement to the left, and compelled the formation of 
a new line to repulse them. 

Colonel Cogswell, then, finding that he could not 
break through to the left, gave the order to retreat 
to the river, telling the officers to save as many of 
their men as possible. Colonel Devens refused to 
accept this order, until at his request it was repeated 
in the presence of Major Kimball of the Fifteenth 
Massachusetts. This regiment and the Twentieth 
Massachusetts were then ordered back to the river. 
Two more companies of the Forty-second New York 
reached the bluff at this time, 5.45 p. m., and did 
good service in holding back the advancing Confed- 
erates. But at six o'clock the men all retired to the 
river. There was no disarrangement in the companies 
of the Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts until 
the moving down the steep bluff effectually broke up 
all formation. As they reached the shore, the fifth 
company of the Forty-second New York, under a very 
heroic and capable officer, Captain O'Meara, was 
just arriving in the scow. It soon landed, and with 
some of the Twentieth under Lieutenant Hallowell, 
formed a line of skirmishers halfway up the bluff, 
and for hours by a steady fire held the enemy at bay. 
Lieutenant Hallowell gives to this New York officer 
the credit of suggesting this skirmish line, and speaks 
in admiration of the manner in which he held it so 
long as a protection over the disorganized men by the 
river. 

It was now dusk. The rebels could not come down 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 53 

the bluff without entirely breaking up their own organ- 
ization, and moreover could not see very well what 
was doing, owing to the bushes and trees and dark- 
ness. The line of skirmishers and the firing of scat- 
tered groups of men warned them of the danger of 
approaching the "last ditch," and kept them at bay 
for several hours. They therefore remained on the 
bluff and kept up a continual firing on the men among 
the trees, in the boats, and swimming. 

The scow was immediately filled with wounded 
and started back for the island. It made one trip in 
safety, and the little boats also carried over their loads, 
but some of the wounded and many uninjured men 
were shot in the boats. Lieutenants Messer and Stur- 
gis were sent over in the last skiff that got across. 

The scow, having now returned, was again filled with 
wounded for her second trip, but as she was pushed 
off, a rush of uninjured men was made who loaded 
her so that her gunwales were almost level with the 
water. But even in this condition she had reached 
the middle of the stream in safety, when some of the 
men poling her were shot and fell on the gunwale. 
This of course disturbed the trim of the boat, and 
the frantic endeavors of the occupants to steady her 
again served only to make matters worse. She rolled 
completely over, and everybody was thrown out. As 
they came up to the surface again after their first 
plunge, they looked like a huge ball of men, entangled 
together and holding on to each other, rolling over 
and over in their desperate attempts to break apart 
and swim ashore. It was a fearful and heart-rending 
sight! Only one man is known to have escaped out 
of this entire boat-load. The scow floated down the 
stream and was lost. The metallic lifeboat was soon 
riddled by bullets and sank. The two little skiffs 



54 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

also disappeared. Within half an hour not a single 
boat of any description was within reach. There was 
no hope of escape now for those who could not swim 
unless they could find relief above or below. 

Colonel Lee, although most strenuously urged by his 
oflBcers to go over to the island in one of the boats, re- 
fused to do so while a single wounded man remained. 
As all the boats were lost before the wounded were 
shipped, he failed of this means of escape. Then, 
accompanied by Major Revere, Assistant-Surgeon 
Revere, Adjutant Peirson, Lieutenant Perry, and a 
few men, he started up the river in search of some 
means of crossing. They attempted to make a raft 
of fence-rails by tying them with their sword-belts, 
but it sank as soon as launched. The party then con- 
tinued up the river to Smart's Mill, opposite the upper 
end of the island, and there they thought of ford- 
ing, but the water was so high and Colonel Lee so 
exhausted, they did not dare attempt it. A colored 
man, in consideration of their only ten-dollar gold- 
piece, showed them a boat, which they pulled out of 
the mill-stream; but as it was full of water and the 
firing was so close, they concluded that they had not 
time enough to stop to repair it, and so continued on. 

They soon came to a place supposed to contain 
a picket of the enemy, which they tried to avoid by 
climbing over a gate of a farmyard, but they had got 
only half over when they were hailed, "Who goes 
there.?" As the hail came from a company of rebel 
cavalry whose carbines were pointed toward them, 
they promptly replied loud enough for them to hear, 
"Hold on a minute, and we will get down," which 
they did, and surrendered. 

After Colonel Lee's departure with his party. Cap- 
tain Bartlett, being the senior oflScer left, gave the 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 55 

order for all who could swim to plunge in and try to 
make their escape. Many of the men threw their 
guns and equipments into the river, to prevent their 
falling into the hands of the rebels, and started to 
swim to the island. Most of them took off their clothes 
before plunging in. Although the distance was so 
short, yet the water was cold and the current very 
strong (about three miles an hour), and the men were 
tired out, so that many a good swimmer found the 
task too great. The river now seemed covered with 
heads and was as white as in a great hail-storm where 
the rebel bullets struck, while the bluff was so high 
that the water afforded no protection from the leaden 
hail. A large number of the men were shot in the 
river, either killed or so disabled that they drowned. 

Captain Babo and Lieutenant Wesselhoeft under- 
took to swim the river without taking off their uni- 
forms, their shoes, or their equipments, even pistols. 
Nevertheless they seemed to be doing well until, im- 
mediately after a volley was fired, one of them was 
heard to exclaim in German that he was shot, and 
that was the last that was seen of either of them until 
Lieutenant Wesselhoeft's body was discovered thir- 
teen days afterwards in the river some twenty miles 
below. As there was no wound upon it, it is probable 
that Captain Babo was the one shot, and his devoted 
friend had lost his life in trying to save him. 

The muscular Captain Crowninshield swam over, 
saving his sword and carrying his watch in his mouth. 
Thoroughly exhausted he lay down and slept under 
a haystack, and when he awoke he went off to camp, 
forgetting his watch entirely. Lieutenant Hallowell 
swam across with his sword hanging from his neck. 
After getting some brandy to warm his half-frozen 
body, and a shirt and pair of drawers for covering. 



56 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

he returned to the river-bank, where he found several 
of our men. As one of them thought that he knew of 
a rowboat on the Maryland side of the island, he was 
sent with a party to get it. Luckily they found it and 
brought it around, and Lieutenant Hallowell then 
sent it across to the foot of the bluff, where Captain 
O'Meara of the Forty-second New York took charge 
of it, and sent it back with a precious freight of 
wounded men. It made several trips in safety and 
rescued thirty or forty men, Sergeant Cowgill among 
the number, before the rebels came down under the 
bluff and captured the remainder. After dispatching 
the boat. Lieutenant Hallowell made a raft of fence- 
rails, fastened together with belts, and poled it back 
again to help some of the men off. With two of the 
Twentieth and one of the Forty-second men he started 
back again. When almost over, this frail craft sepa- 
rated, and two of the men were drowned. Lieutenant 
Hallowell and the other escaping. Most of the men 
that succeeded in swimming the river had taken off 
all their clothing, in many cases even their under- 
clothing. Lieutenant Macy now offered to swim over 
and see if there was a chance left for boats to be 
brought to the assistance of the others. Throwing off 
everything but his cap (in which he carried the minia- 
ture of his fiancee), and carrying his sword in his hand, 
he started and finally reached the island, but with- 
out his sword, which he was compelled to drop 
when nearly over. But not a boat of any kind was 
to be had. 

Captains Bartlett and Tremlett, Lieutenants Ab- 
bott and Whittier then started up the river to find 
some means of escape for themselves. They had with 
them about twenty men each of the Twentieth and 
Fifteenth Massachusetts, of the Forty-second New 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 57 

York, and First California regiments. They soon 
reached Smart's Mill and were shown the same boat 
that Colonel Lee's little party had rejected. They, 
however, went to work on it and soon made it suflB- 
ciently seaworthy for their purposes. In it they trans- 
ported their whole party, five at a time, Lieutenant 
Whittier, being sent over in the second load to take 
charge of the men as they arrived, while the other offi- 
cers waited for the last trip. But all reached the island 
in safety about nine o'clock, contrary to their expect- 
ations. These appear to have been all that escaped, 
after the destruction of the boats, except the swim- 
mers and perhaps some small parties of two or three 
men. About ten o'clock in the evening, while a part 
of the rebels remained on the bluff to shoot such men 
as should attempt to escape by swimming, another 
force descended to the shore of the river below, and 
marched up under the bluff and captured about 
everybody that was then left on that side of the river. 
It was then that they captured Captain O'Meara of 
the Tammany regiment, who had so bravely kept the 
rebels for four hours from coming down the bluff, 
and had so nobly preserved for the wounded the only 
chance for escape in the last boat left afloat. 

A man of the Nineteenth Massachusetts took a 
small boat, abandoned on the Virginia side of the 
island, and made three trips, bringing back all the 
men he could find in that vicinity, about fifteen or 
twenty. Companies F of the Twentieth under Lieu- 
tenant Cabot and B under Lieutenant Le Barnes, 
both under command of Lieutenant Beckwith, crossed 
to Harrison's Island early on the 22d. This force 
was posted by Colonel Hincks, so as to protect the 
island as well as possible, considering that it was en- 
tirely overlooked by, and in full reach of, the bluff 



58 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

where the fighting had taken place, and remained 
there until midnight, when they returned to their 
camps. During the morning of the 22d, Lieutenant 
Dodge of the Nineteenth Massachusetts was sent over 
to Ball's Bluff with a flag of truce to request permis- 
sion to remove the wounded, which was finally granted. 
In the afternoon Captain Vaughn, with another flag 
and burial party of twelve, was sent across to bury 
the dead, and remained there until night. 

As soon as General Stone knew of Colonel Baker's 
death and the disaster to our troops, he telegraphed 
to McClellan, who immediately ordered him to in- 
trench on the Virginia side and wait for reenforce- 
ments, and at the same time ordered General Banks 
to his support with his entire division and to hold his 
position at all hazards. Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey 
under orders left camp at 3.30 a. m. of the 22d, with 
all the men that he had, including even camp-guards. 
He had only Company K that had not been engaged, 
but with it he took many men from the other com- 
panies who had been left in camp on Sunday and was 
joined even by very many of the men who had been 
in the fight. 

General Stone had already got about twenty-five 
hundred men across the river at Edwards Ferry by 
evening of the 21st, and by ten of the next morning 
he had crossed in all forty-five hundred infantry, one 
hundred and ten cavalry, and two twelve-pound how- 
itzers. On that afternoon at three o'clock Colonel 
Barksdale and the Thirteenth Mississippi made an 
attack, but were easily driven back to Fort Evans, 
where they remained with some cavalry and two guns 
to watch General Stone, while General Evans sent 
his other three regiments to Carter's Mill, about eight 
miles back from the river. General Stone was not 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 59 

molested again, and during that night and the fol- 
lowing day strengthened his position. Between 9 p. m. 
of the 23d and 5 a. m. of the 24th he withdrew his 
entire force to the Maryland shore. Colonel Palfrey, 
with the men of the Twentieth, reached Camp Ben- 
ton about 2 A. M. of the 24th, without loss. 
The casualties were as follows: 

Colonel W. R. Lee, captured. Major P. J. Revere, wounded 
in leg and captured. Assistant-Surgeon E. H. R. Revere, cap- 
tured. Adjutant C. L. Peirson, captured. * 

Company A. Killed: Sergeant John Merchant; Corporal 
George W. Waters ; Privates George F. Kelly, Patrick McDer- 
mott (died January 4, 1862), William Welch, Charles Wright. 
Wounded: First Lieutenant O. W. Holmes, Jr. (chest); 
Sergeant Otis L. Battles (shghtly) ; Corporals William Bab- 
cock (slightly), Thomas Dwyer (thigh); Privates Thomas 
Chapin, William A. Edson, Alphonzo K. Graves, Leander 
Hanscom, Benjamin F. Heath, Charles N. Homer (back), 
William O'Grady (finger amputated). Captured: Third 
Sergeant Robert H. Weston; Privates Abraham Brown, 
Alexander Brown, Gilbert W. Dresser, Jeremiah C. Haley, 
Thomas Hartford, Henry R. Heath, Thomas Kelly, Daniel 
Murphy, Valentine P. Rolhns, James R. Russell, Herman 
H. Shaw, Wilham H. Smith, Timothy T. Torsey. 

Company C. Killed: Second Lieutenant Reinhold Wessel- 
hoeft (drowned) ; Private Joseph Meyer (drowned). Wounded : 
Captain F. Dreher (severely in head); Sergeant Gustave 
Magnitzky (leg); Privates Phihp P. Joseff, Alois Kraft. 
Captured: Sergeant Frederick Will; Corporals James T. 
Goulding, David Griffin, Albert Reiss, Henry Vogel; Pri- 
vates Charles Christely, Wilham Fuchs, John B. Hayes, 
Joseph Heim, Franz Minuty, Christian Moegle, John Quim- 
bly, Herman Rank, John Rohm, Frederick Ruppert, Jacob 
SchUcher, George Schuster, Jacob Wipfler, Franz Zeuner. 

Company D. Killed: Corporal Frank Sampson (died Novem- 
ber 3, 1861); Privates Warren F. Fames, James Galligan, 



60 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Patrick McCuUough, Daniel O'Brien, Amos H. Partridge 
(captured and died in Richmond, January 16, 1862), Calvin 
Porter, Joseph Wire. Wounded: Privates Josiah Proctor 
(in body), Albert Sherman (leg amputated), James G. War- 
ren (front right shoulder, left side, and right thigh). Cap- 
tured: First Lieutenant George B. Perry; First Sergeant 
Richard H. L. Talcott; Sergeants James M. Cogans, Horace 
A. Derry; Corporals Charles J. Curtis, Richard Hawkins, 
Seeley P. Reeves; Privates Alexander Aiken, John Baxter, 
John Dag, Richard Duffin, Job W. Dupee, Francis Giesler, 
William Graham, Wilham Irving, George Lucas, CUnton Mc- 
Question, John Murphy, John J. O'Connell, Hugh O'Harren, 
Henry Place, Jr., Willard O. Reed, John Rumble, WilUam 
H. Simester, James Smith, James Tettler. 

Company E. Killed: Second Lieutenant W. L. Putnam (died 
October 22, 1861); Privates WilUam Augustus Leonard, 
Michael Murphy. Wounded: Captain G. A. Schmitt (three 
wounds in leg, one in small of back; never rejoined regi- 
ment). First Lieutenant J. J. Lowell (leg); First Sergeant 
Horace Moses Warren (severely; fractured left forearm, 
flesh wound left side and right thigh); Corporal Edward 
Seymour Stockwell; Privates Joseph F. Bent (groin), Timothy 
Dinahy, Samuel Hamilton, Cilenius Mason Pierce, Andrew 
Regan (captured), James Riley (shoulder), Uriah James 
Streeter, Michael S. Sulhvan, Wilham Tootell, CorneHus 
Leary (wounded in right thigh and captured). Captured: 
Sergeant Bernhardt L. Eckenstein, David W. Johnson; 
Privates George Britton, Patrick Doherty, Arthur Johnson, 
Cornelius O'Neil, John WilUam G. Smith, WilUam Thomp- 
son. 

Company G. Killed: Captain Alois Babo; Sergeant John P. 
McKay; Corporals George E. Simpson, Ebenezer Tripp; 
Privates Patrick L. Burke (died November 18, 1861), Pat- 
rick McDonough, John McGoldrick, George H. Meader, 
Daniel J. Roach, Dennis Shine, Wounded: Privates Pat- 
rick Crowley, John Dolan (left arm), Joseph Yeager (left 
side near base of lung) . Captured : Sergeant Emery A. Mellen ; 
Corporals Reuben Harlow, John Powers; Privates Frederick 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 61 

S. Allen, Edward Barry, John Chapman, Ezra D. Chace, 
Thomas Glacken, Lawrence Griffin, John Noonan, Patrick 
Quinlan. 

Company H. Killed: Privates Henry W. Brewer, James H. 
Collyer (died November 25, 1861), Edward P. Dunn, John 
Dwyer, William R. Hathaway (died November 27, 1861), 
Joseph Snell. Wounded: Captain John C. Putnam (right 
arm amputated at the shoulder joint); Corporal Charles 
Cowgill (side); Private Thomas Lew (lost right arm). Cap- 
tured: Sergeants Thomas Armstrong, Thomas J. Pousland, 
Wilham H. R. Reid; Corporal Thomas E. Ireson; Privates 
Henry Allbright, Jacob H. Alley, Nathaniel Q. Alley, James 
Clark, John Corbett, Thomas Donovan, WilUam Duffie, 
Henry A. Fairbanks, John Flynn, Daniel Foley, James Fol- 
som, Charles A. Foster, Richard L. Gardner, Thomas F. 
Mack, Charles O. Newell (wounded twice in body), Wilham 
Powers, Tolman C. Richards, Joseph F. Rumney, Wilham 
Woodward (Private Timothy Hart unaccounted for). 

Company I. Killed: Privates Alexander M. Barber (died 
November 21, 1861), Abednego Davis, Peter McKenna, 
Albert Stackpole (died October 26, 1861), George E. Worth. 
Wounded: First Sergeant Wilham R. Riddle (right arm am- 
putated above elbow); Corporals Thomas Holhs, James 
Seddon (ankle); Privates Thomas Dolan, Orlando N. Gam- 
mons (lost first joint forefinger of right hand), George C 
Pratt (head and hip), Juhus Strieck, John W. Summerhayes. 
Captured: Privates Isaac S. Barker, Lewis Dunn, Wilham 
F. Hill, Albert Kelley, Martin V. Kempton, Samuel Lowell, 
Edward V. Skinner. 

Those of the Twentieth that escaped death or cap- 
ture found their way to Camp Benton as best they 
could between 10 p. m. of the 21st and daylight of the 
next morning. 

The dead and wounded were collected in an old 
house on Harrison's Island, and were ferried across 
to the Maryland shore as rapidly as possible during 



62 THE HVENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the night, and were then put on canal-boats and taken 
down to Edwards Ferry, where the wounded were 
sent to their different regimental hospitals, while the 
dead were laid on stretchers and on shutters and doors 
taken from the house on the island, and placed in 
a row on the porch of the old store near the ferry. It 
had been raining very heavily since early morning 
of the 22d, and one of the wounded, covered with 
a rubber blanket over his head, slept so soundly that 
the removal to the canal-boat did not awaken him, 
and he was carried to the porch with the dead and 
left there. Later in the morning, when our troops 
were crossing at the ferry to the Virginia side, many 
were the expressions of sorrow by the living for the 
dead. One of the soldiers, more curious than the 
rest, lifted the blanket from his poor comrade's face 
and was very much astonished to see the dead man 
open his eyes and look around to see where he 
was. Such was his sympathetic nature that he insisted 
on the wounded man taking his full supply of plug 
tobacco ! 

Lieutenant William Lowell Putnam was mortally 
wounded in the battle and died the next day in 
camp, and his body was sent to Boston. Private 
Stackpole of Company I died of his wounds on the 
26th, and was buried near the camp with military 
honors. 

On the same day. Colonel Henry Lee, Jr., of Gov- 
ernor Andrew's staff, William Lee, Esq., Dr. Russell, 
and Captain Putnam's father arrived to offer the 
sympathies of their friends at home and assistance 
from the Governor. They were followed in a few days 
by personal friends of other officers, and by Mr. Ur- 
bino and many friends of the Germans in Companies 
B and C. James Y. Smith, Esq., of Providence, 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 63 

Rhode Island, asked the privilege of joining in the 
contribution to supply the articles lost by men who 
had covered themselves with so much glory in the 
battle, and sent one hundred dollars for the Fifteenth 
and Twentieth Massachusetts. The following general 
order was read at dress-parade, with the statement 
that Colonel Henry Lee, William Lee, Esq., and Dr. 
Russell were a special committee from Governor 
Andrew to express his sympathies and attend to the 
needs of the regiment: 

General Order, Headquarters 20th Regt. Mass. Vols., 

No. 70. Camp Benton, Oct. 29, 1861. • 

His Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor of Mass. de- 
sires to express* through the proper channel his sincere thanks 
to the officers and privates of the 20th Regt. Mass. Vols, for 
the bravery which they displayed in the recent battle at Ball's 
Bluff, and for the admirable discipline which their behavior 
there so strongly bears evidence of. He regrets the severe loss 
sustained by the regiment, and deeply sympathizes with the 
wounded and the suffering relatives of the dead and wounded, 
but will assure the regiment that they have earned and own a 
name brilliant and glorious, and that the Bay State is proud to 
recognize them as sons, and as sons worthy of the Common- 
wealth and worthy to share past glories of the Commonwealth. 

By order of 

F. W. Palfrey, 
Lt.-Col. Commanding 20th Regt. Mass. Vols. 
[Signed] W. F. Milton, 

1st Lt. and Acting Adjt. 

Many friends of the officers and men of the regi- 
ment now came to camp, and many who could not 
leave Boston sent delicacies for the wounded. These 
unfortunates were cared for most attentively, and 
most of them were soon in condition to travel. As 
fast as possible they were sent home to Boston to 
regain their health and strength. 



64 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

The following stanzas were written by Brigadier- 
General Lander, on hearing that the Confederate 
troops said that "fewer of the Massachusetts officers 
would have been killed, had they not been too proud 
to surrender." 

Aye, deem us proud, for we are more 
Than proud of all our mighty dead; 
Proud of the bleak and rock-bound shore, 
A crowned oppressor cannot tread. 

Proud of each rock, and wood, and glen. 
Of every river, lake, and plain; 
Proud of the calm and earnest men 
Who claim the right and will to reign. 

Proud of the men who gave us birth. 
Who battled with the stormy wave. 
To sweep the red man from the earth, 
And build their homes upon his grave. 

Proud of the holy summer morn 
They traced in blood upon its sod; 
The rights of freemen yet unborn: 
Proud of their language and their God. 

Proud that beneath our proudest dome 
And round the cottage-cradled hearth, 
There is a welcome and a home 
For every stricken race on earth. 

Proud that yon slowly sinking sun 
Saw drowning Ups grow white in prayer, 
O'er such brief acts of duty done. 
As honor gathers from despair. 

Pride, 'tis our watchword; "clear the boats," 
" Holmes, Putnam, Bartlett, Peirson — Here " 

And while this crazy wherry floats 
"Let's save our wounded," cries Revere. 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 65 

Old State — some souls are rudely sped — 
Tliis record for thy Twentieth Corps, — 
Imprisoned, wounded, dying, dead. 
It only asks, " Has Sparta more ? " 

Colonel Lee, Major Revere, Adjutant Peirson, 
Assistant Surgeon Revere, Lieutenant Perry, and a 
few men were captured early in the evening of the 
21st a short distance above Smart's Mill. They were 
immediately taken to Leesburg, into a tavern, the 
headquarters of General Evans, Although they had 
had no food all day, were exhausted with fighting 
and walking, and would have been tempted by some 
compromise that included supper, yet when General 
Evans offered them the opportunity of returning on 
a parole which read, "All agree not to serve again 
during the war," not one would accept it. For some 
moments there was silence, then Cogswell said, 
"Shanks,^ you ought not to offer this to gentlemen;" 
— then another, "You are no gentleman yourself 
to offer this;" and so on, each one speaking more em- 
phatically, until the General became so enraged that 
he could not control himself and said, "Then you 
get out of this!" 

Later in the evening they were given some supper 
and, starting at midnight in the drenching rain, most 
of them on foot, they were marched toward Rich- 
mond. (A lumber- wagon was provided for the few 
who were unable to walk.) In the morning as they 
marched along with their escort, the women came out 
of the houses and jeered at them, shouting, "Kill the 
damned Yankees!" 

They finally reached .the battlefield of Bull Run 
and were put into the Stone House, which still had 

^ General Evans's sobriquet at West Point, earned by the beauty of his lower 
limbs. 



66 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

its floors left, but not much else. Here they were given 
some corn-bread and some raw pork, which they 
cooked themselves on fires made from laths torn from 
the buildings, and they have since declared that this 
was one of the most appetizing dinners they ever had 
in their lives. From here they were sent in freight 
cars to Richmond and put in Libby Prison, where 
their predecessors, those captured at Bull Run and 
other places, gave them all the provisions that they 
had reserved for some opportunity of escaping, — a 
most generous act. 

On November 10 General Winder, the command- 
ant, under orders of the War Ofiice, selected six colo- 
nels, five lieutenant-colonels and majors, and three 
captains as hostages for Smith, already convicted of 
piracy, and the other men captured on the privateer 
who were on trial as pirates in New York. From 
these fourteen, seven were to be drawn by lot who 
were to be hanged if our government so treated the 
Southern privateers as it had expressed determin- 
ation to do. Colonel Lee and Major Revere were 
among the number drawn as hostages, and they were 
carried off to Henrico County jail. These seven oflfi- 
cers were confined in a cell, seventeen by eleven and 
one half feet, which gave scarcely room for the cots, 
benches, a stove, and table. There were two small 
windows to this cell, doubly barred. As the building, 
some twenty feet high, was surrounded by a wall of 
the same height only ten feet distant, there was but 
little light for them at that season of the year, and all 
the air and exercise they could get was in the little 
yard enclosed by the wall. The building was divided 
into four cells, the first story being occupied entirely 
by negroes, some thirty in all; and as the entrance 
was common to both stories, the stench was intoler- 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 67 

able. The yard was used as a whipping-place for re- 
fractory negroes. 

Their fellow prisoners left in Libby in vain offered 
to take the places of these unfortunates, but these 
offers were refused by the rebel authorities. 

Governor Andrew, in behalf of the State and many 
friends of the prisoners, sent on clothing for them and 
money to purchase food, etc. Adjutant Peirson was 
the first of the captured members of the regiment to 
leave Richmond, his exchange having been effected on 
the 27th of January, 1862. On his arrival at Wash- 
ington he had interviews with General McClellan, 
Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War, and by interest- 
ing John M. Forbes of Boston and other men of in- 
fluence he was successful in having the men under 
indictment as pirates restored to the position of pris- 
oners of war, which resulted in the return of Colonel 
Lee, Major Revere, and their comrades on the 5th of 
February from jail to Libby Prison. 

On February 20, Lieutenant Perry and sixty-five 
exchanged prisoners reached Fortress Monroe, went 
to Boston, and after a furlough of a few days re- 
joined the regiment. When the news of this prospect- 
ive change reached Massachusetts, a friend of one of 
the prisoners called on his wife to bring her the good 
news of her husband's speedy exchange. "But," 
said the poor woman, with tears in her eyes, "I love 
Tom, the children love Tom, and I don't want him 
exchanged. I won't have a rebel husband, so now!" 
Colonel Lee, Major Revere, and Surgeon Revere 
reached Boston on the 28th, but on parole. They did 
not succeed in getting their exchange until Major 
Revere went to Fort Warren himself and selected 
three Confederate oflficers of corresponding rank to 
theirs. Colonel Lee then applied to the Secretary of 



68 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

War that these selected officers might be permitted 
to proceed to Richmond, under pledge of honor to 
return in fifteen days, or send to our Government an 
order from the Confederate Government confirming 
the conditions of exchange of our officers. This plan 
succeeded. Our three officers thus obtained their 
exchange and rejoined the regiment on May 2, just 
in time to enter Yorktown. 

STORY OF R. H. L. TALCOTT, FIRST SERGEANT, 
COMPANY D 

We had been in Libby Prison some two weeks 
when Colonel Lee sent for me to come over to see him 
in a prison on another street. I was taken over by one 
of the rebel guards. Colonel Lee asked me many 
questions about the battle of Ball's Bluff, and among 
other things he made the assertion in this wise, say- 
ing that, "If you and I were in a hundred battles, we 
never could be under a hotter or more vicious mus- 
ketry fire." Then he requested me to remain with 
him if it was agreeable to me. The thought of being 
in more spacious quarters and having better rations 
I gladly accepted, and was with him until his incar- 
ceration in jail. I well remember the day that General 
Winder and his staff came into the prison, and read 
the warrant for the incarceration of some Union 
officers to be held as hostages for execution in case 
certain privateers held by our Government were put 
to death. It was on the Sabbath day, bright and clear. 
As I remember, it was a question between Colonel 
Lee and Colonel Cogswell of the Forty-second New 
York which should be selected. The two officers 
drew lots, using straws held in the hand of one of the 
rebel staff officers. It fell to the lot of Colonel Lee 
to be selected. Afterwards Colonel Cogswell went 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 69 

to the other side of the room and composed himself 
for sleep. A few days afterward an officer and men 
of the rebel guard came into the prison, and took into 
custody Colonel Lee, Major Paul Revere, our sur- 
geon. Dr. Edward Revere of the Twentieth Massa- 
chusetts, and also some officers of the Fifteenth Mas- 
sachusetts. They were put into the common jail in 
Richmond city and confined some weeks. I assisted 
Colonel Lee in making his toilet, so to speak, brush- 
ing his coat and also his boots as he put one foot after 
the other on a block of wood, — something I would 
not have cared to do for a younger man ; ^ but all the 
officers condemned seemed to want to make them- 
selves look as presentable as circumstances would 
allow. On asking Colonel Lee if there was anything 
more that I could do for him, he said, " No, Sergeant. 
All I want now is your best wishes." I answered, 
"You not only have my best wishes, but the best 
wishes of all the regiment." Undoubtedly he, in com- 
mon with all of us concerned, looked upon the matter 
as a terrible reality. As some of the officers remarked, 
if retaliation should once begin, there would be no- 
where to stop. 

I need not say that the Colonel was a brave man, 
and that he seemed to think that perhaps he was send- 
ing his last message to the regiment of which he was 
so fond. He exhibited some emotion, but clearing 
his voice he said, "Tell the men " — and again a little 
clearing of the throat — "tell the men^ — tell the men 
that their colonel died hke a brave man." I said to 
him, "Do you think that when our Government finds 
how we are situated here, that they will hang those 
pirates.^" He replied, saying, "The Government has 

* Colonel Lee was the oldest oflScer in the Army of the Potomac except 
General Sumner. 



70 THE TWENTIETH IVIASSACHUSETTS 

a policy to carry out, and they will do it, no matter 
whose neck stretches." 

On settling down after this terribly disastrous 
affair of Ball's Bluff, Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey 
found himseff the only officer left of the entire field 
and military staff, and consequently in command 
of the regiment, which it was necessary to reorgan- 
ize temporarily in accordance with the following 
order: — 

General Order, Headquarters, 20th Regt. Mass. Vols. 

No. 69. Camp Benton, Oct. 24, 1861. 

The following arrangements of this command will be observed 
until further orders. 

Capt. Bartlett, Co. I, is detailed for duty as acting Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. 

Capt. Crowninshield, Co. D, is detailed for duty as acting 
Major. 

Lieut. Milton, Co. G, is detailed for duty as Adjutant. They 
will be obeyed and respected accordingly. The non-commis- 
sioned officers and privates of Company G ready for duty are 
assigned to Capt. Tremlett of Company A, who ranks as senior 
Captain. The 1st Sergt. of Co. G, will report to Lieut. Hallo- 
well, commanding Co. H, as 1st Sergt. 

Capt. Shepard of Co. K takes rank as 2nd Captain. 

The non-commissioned officers and privates of Co. E are 
assigned to Lieut. Macy, Co. I, who ranks as 3rd Captain. 

The non-commissioned officers and privates of Co. D are 
assigned to Lieut. Hallowell, Co. H, who ranks as 4th Captain. 
Sergt. Burrill of Co. H will act as 1st Sergt. 

Lieut. Cabot of Co. F ranks as 5th Captain, assisted by Lieut. 
Sturgis of Co. H as 1st Lieut. 

Lieut. Le Barnes of Co. B takes command of that Company 
and ranks as 6th Captain. 

It is to be understood that the above arrangement is adopted 
for the present emergency; it is subject to revision at any 
moment and is expected to continue only till new officers can 
be commissioned and arrangements made for jfilling up the regi- 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 71 

ment. Where men are assigned in accordance with these orders, 
they will continue to occupy their quarters under charge of their 
ranking Sergeants, reporting to their commanding officers for 
duty. 

By order of commanding officer, 

W. F. Milton, Acting Adjutant. 

On November 5, Lieutenant - Colonel Palfrey 
crossed the Potomac at Edwards Ferry, bearing a 
flag of truce, in order to make arrangements for 
bringing away the bodies of some of our soldiers 
who were killed at Ball's Bluff, and finding out 
whether letters and supplies could be transmitted 
to our men who had been taken prisoners. He was 
pleasantly received by Lieutenant - Colonel Jenifer 
and one of the officers of General Evans's staff, and 
arrangements were made for a party to cross the 
following morning at nine o'clock at Ball's Bluff. 
At that time Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey, with some 
New York officers, crossed again under a flag of 
truce and removed the body of Captain Alden of the 
Tammany regiment. They then learned of the con- 
dition of the officers and men of the Twentieth who 
had been captured, and delivered some money and 
clothing to the Confederates for the comfort of their 
unfortunate comrades. 

The question had now to be seriously considered 
— with the depleted numbers, both of officers and 
men — of supplying the places, not only of the killed, 
but of the many who had been taken prisoners. 
Captain Tremlett and two commissioned officers, 
all of whom had acquitted themselves well at Ball's 
Bluff, were sent to Boston to endeavor to recruit 
two hundred men for the regiment, and recruiting 
was vigorously pushed by them at 7 Howard Street 
during the autumn and winter with considerable 



72 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

success. Captain Herchenroder's resignation was 
accepted November 7, and Captain Walleston's on 
November 9. 

On November 25 Governor Andrew filled up the 
roster of officers by promoting First Lieutenants 
Macy, Beckwith, and Cabot to captains, and Second 
Lieutenants Abbott, Tilden, and Sturgis to first lieu- 
tenants, and by commissioning as second lieuten- 
ants three enlisted men, viz.: First Sergeant William 
R. Riddle of Company I, Quartermaster Sergeant 
Henry F. Sander, and First Sergeant James Mur- 
phy of Company A, and three from civil life, viz. : 
Herbert C. Mason, Arthur R. Curtis, and Henry L. 
Patten, who joined soon after receiving their com- 
missions. 

On December 3 Captain Caspar Crowninshield 
left the regiment to accept a captaincy in the First 
Massachusetts Cavalry, in which branch of the 
service he later gained great distinction, attaining 
the rank of colonel and brevet brigadier-general before 
the close of the war. His departure from the regi- 
ment was much regretted by his brother officers and 
by the men of his company, even the toughest of 
the latter shedding tears at his leaving. 

First Lieutenant N. P. Hallowell, who had pre- 
viously declined promotion because he preferred to 
stay with his company, was made captain in his 
place. Second Lieutenant Whittier was made first 
lieutenant, and Henry Ropes of Boston was ap- 
pointed second lieutenant, joining on December 31. 

On November 12 we received our first pay since 
leaving the State, being paid in full up to Novem- 
ber 1. Over eight thousand dollars was sent home 
by the men, in form of orders on Mayor Wightman of 
the city of Boston. The pay was then in good gold 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 73 

dollars, a custom, however, which did not last very 
long into the war. 

November 22 the regiment had its first brigade 
drill. On the same day Medical Cadet Norton Fol- 
som arrived and reported to the surgeon for duty. 
On the 28th the first batch of recruits came from 
Captain Tremlett, and during the winter and until 
the end of March was followed by many others. 
The time was fully occupied while in winter quar- 
ters in breaking in these recruits and many new 
oflScers, as well as in improving the old men incom- 
pany, battalion, and brigade drill, instruction in 
guard duty, skirmishing, bayonet exercise, etc. 

Early in February Surgeon Hay ward completed 
quite an extensive bathhouse, on which he had been 
engaged with a large detail of men for some three 
weeks. He had taken a large log house which had 
been built for a storehouse, having a floor and fire- 
place, and removed the stores into another building 
which he built for the purpose. He then had a bar- 
ber-shop partitioned off in one corner and a stove 
placed in it, and then built a sink for washing, with 
the drain connecting with those on the outside which 
had been built to carry off the water from the camp. 
He made requisition on the quartermaster for four 
camp kettles, made thirty washtubs out of half- 
barrels, had two barrels rigged with handles for 
bringing water, and, with plenty of nails driven into 
the log walls on which to hang up clothes, the regi- 
mental "temple of Hygeia" was completed. The 
men came in the first day by squads of twenty and 
thirty, and constant bathing was kept up from ten 
in the morning to seven in the evening. With the 
further assistance of a few blacking- and clothes- 
brushes the men felt better after their scrubbing, 



74 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

and looked very much better. The affair was a great 
success. Everybody was delighted with it, and good 
nature reigned throughout the regiment. The sur- 
geon also had some large square boilers made of 
iron to hold half a barrel of water apiece. These 
were intended for washing clothes, and he hoped, by 
utilizing them as packing-boxes, to be able to carry 
them in wagons on the march. 

In December balloon ascensions for observation 
of the enemy were made in the neighborhood, and a 
part of Company D was detailed for balloon duty at 
Edwards Ferry, under command of Lieutenant Messer, 
and they remained on that duty until the army reached 
Harrison's Landing in the following July. 

On the afternoon of Christmas Day a beautiful 
silk memorial flag was presented to the regiment, 
a gift from the sisters of Lieutenants Lowell and 
Putnam of Company E, the first of whom had been 
wounded and the latter killed at Ball's Bluff. It 
was a State flag, bearing on one side the name " Ball's 
Bluff" and the pine-tree of the State, below which 
was the motto, "Stand in the Evil Day." On the 
other side was the arm with the sword and the State 
motto. The presentation was made by Hon. John 
G. Palfrey, father of the Lieutenant-Colonel, who 
read the following letter from Charles Eliot Norton 
to the regiment on behalf of the donors : — 

"Colonel, officers, and soldiers of the Twentieth 
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers : In the name of 
Massachusetts, and as representative of some of your 
friends and fellow citizens, I present to you this flag. 
I give it to you as a mark of honor for what you 
have already done, of confidence in your conduct in 
the future. 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 75 

" The twenty-first of October is inscribed by Massa- 
chusetts in her calendar of days made memorable 
by the virtue of her sons. She will never forget your 
hard, faithful, glorious though defeated services on 
that day, — when you baptized, not in vain, the 
soil of Virginia with your blood. These colors bear 
that date upon them, and while they revive the mem- 
ory of your valor, they revive also the memory of 
your loss, — of those brave dead who gave their 
lives for the cause for which Massachusetts had sent 
them out to do battle. Their memory is dear and 
sacred in our hearts forever. They died in the noblest 
of causes, — the cause of Government, Liberty, and 
Peace. For Liberty and Peace Massachusetts does 
not shrink from shedding her own blood, or from 
spilling that of her enemies. Her motto, that you 
will bear to battle on this flag, expresses her creed. 
*' Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem.'* She 
seeks for liberty and peace, and will secure them 
with the sword. Yes, with the sword, the rifle, or 
the cannon. She bids you fight. Fight in the name 
of your dead and for the captives, whose places are 
vacant here and who are languishing in southern jails. 

"All strength and beauty, that seem to perish with 
the dead on the field of honor, revive in your fresh 
confidence and resolution, and every mouldering arm, 
which will never more clasp the beloved ones, never 
more handle the sword or the musket, has bequeathed 
to you its vigor and its faithfulness. You shall hear 
the sighings of the prisoners, and, under God, you 
shall be the means of their deliverance. 

"Take, then, this flag. Stand by it in the evil day. 
Bring it back when the sword has done its work, 
and let the stains of smoke and of blood upon it, and 
the rents in its folds, tell us the story of your deeds. 



76 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

And may He who is the God of battles, as He is the 
God of peace, give you honorable death, or bring 
you back safe from war, according as by death or 
by life you can best serve his cause." 

Edward N. Hallowell, first lieutenant and aide- 
de-camp to General Fremont, a brother of Captain 
Hallowell, was commissioned second lieutenant in 
the Twentieth on January 11, 1862, and joined on 
the 24th. Dr. Crehore came to the regiment in 
the middle of January as contract surgeon during 
Assistant Surgeon Revere's captivity. He proved 
a very agreeable companion and did most excellent 
service. 

On January 25 two incorrigible rogues who had 
been tried by court martial, — one for stealing an offi- 
cer's watch, the other for habitual drunkenness, — 
were drummed out of the regiment. The whole regi- 
ment was turned out at noon and formed in two lines, 
with a space of ten yards between. The prisoners were 
brought out in front of the regiment, with four guards 
in front, four behind, and one on each side, with 
rifles loaded and bayonets fixed. Then every button 
on their coats was cut off by one of the drummers, 
after which they had to march between the lines of 
the regiment, headed by a fifer and drummer playing 
the "Rogues' March." They were then escorted out- 
side the lines of the camp, and warned that if they 
were caught inside the lines after that, they would 
suffer severely. 

General Lander, the brigade commander, being 
wounded on October 22, opposite Edwards Ferry, 
was summoned to Washington and assigned to other 
duty. During his absence the brigade was commanded 
by Colonel Hinks of the Nineteenth Massachusetts 
until December 4, 1861, and from that time to Feb- 



UPPER POTOMAC AND BALL'S BLUFF 77 

ruary 22, 1862, by Colonel J. R. Grosvenor of the 
Seventh Michigan. 

On February 8 Lieutenant Lowell again joined 
the regiment, the first of the officers to recover from 
the wounds of Ball's Bluff. 

On February 11 Second Lieutenant Arthur R. 
Curtis was commissioned first lieutenant, to date 
January 16, and William F. Perkins was again com- 
missioned second lieutenant on the same date. 



CHAPTER III 

FROM THE POTOMAC TO THE CHICKAHOMINY 

On February 22, 1862, General N. J. T. Dana, an 
officer of the Regular Army, took command of our 
brigade; and General Sedgwick was made the regu- 
lar commander of our division. 

On February 26 the Twentieth broke camp and 
took leave of Camp Benton. The first move was to 
Camp Foster, close to the village of Poolesville, where 
we occupied that night the tents of the Fifteenth 
Massachusetts, which had joined General Banks's 
command, and had started on the move to seize 
Harper's Ferry, and reopen the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad. This camp was rechristened Camp Lee in 
honor of our colonel, and there, two days later, were 
pitched the tents which had been removed from Camp 
Benton. On the 6th of March Lieutenant Milton 
was detailed as aide-de-camp to General Dana, bri- 
gade commander, and spent the rest of his term of 
service on staff duty, although keeping his commis- 
sion in the regiment. 

On March 8 Leesburg, the object of the unfortun- 
ate attack at Ball's Bluff, was abandoned by the 
rebels and occupied by General Geary. On the 11th 
at 10 A. M. the regiment left Camp Lee under the 
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey and marched 
eight miles to the mouth of the Monocacy River, 
where canal-boats took it to Point of Rocks. Here 
it bivouacked until eleven o'clock on the morning of 



FROM POTOMAC TO CHICKAHOMINY 79 

the 12th, when it again took canal-boats to Harper's 
Ferry. It marched eight miles to Charlestown, Vir- 
ginia, and bivouacked for the night. It marched 
through this little town the next morning in fine style, 
making a long halt in the middle of the town. On 
starting again the band struck up "Dixie," and to 
that tune marched with flying colors past the prison 
where John Brown had been confined. It continued 
its way twelve miles to Berryville and bivouacked 
for the night. This little town is nearly due west of 
Leesburg, and about thirty miles in a direct line west 
of the old position at Camp Benton, but beyond the 
Blue Ridge and Shenandoah River, and about ten 
miles east of Winchester, the seizure of which and 
the turning of the rebel left flank were the ultimate 
objects of the move. 

We learned that Winchester had been abandoned 
by the Confederates and occupied by our troops the 
day previous, so that evening a vast body of troops 
came back from Winchester, and filled the great field 
and woods in our neighborhood with men for miles 
around. Our design having been accomplished, we 
retraced our steps, starting back on the 14th and 
marching to Charlestown, where we bivouacked on 
the same ground as two nights before. The next day 
we marched eight miles to Bolivar Heights, overlook- 
ing Harper's Ferry. 

On March 19 the Twentieth had six hundred and 
eighteen men present in camp, sixteen in the hospi- 
tal, and eight on duty at brigade headquarters, mak- 
ing a total of six hundred and forty-two men present. 
On this day Sumner's Second Army Corps was or- 
ganized by the assignment of Sedgwick's, Richard- 
son's, and Blenker's divisions, in accordance with the 
President's order of March 8 and McClellan's of 



80 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

March 13, but Blenker's was detached before joining. 
The Tammany regiment (Forty-second New York) 
was transferred from Gorman's brigade to Dana's 
(now numbered the Third). On this date Adjutant 
Peirson left to take the position of acting commissary 
of subsistence on General Dana's staff, and Lieu- 
tenant Curtis was appointed acting adjutant of the 
regiment. 

The regiment remained at Bolivar Heights until 
the 24th, improving its time with both battalion and 
brigade drills. Captain Putnam, who had returned 
to the regiment on the 19th, was feeling in very good 
condition, although he had lost one arm. But he soon 
found, as did Lieutenant Riddle, who had also lost 
an arm at Ball's Bluff, that he could not stand the 
strain of an active campaign. Captain Dreher, who 
had been most grievously wounded at Ball's Bluff, 
returned on the 22d. While here Captain Beckwith 
and Lieutenant Le Barnes resigned, and Lieutenant 
O. W. Holmes, Jr., was commissioned captain, and 
Second Lieutenants MuUer and Messer were raised 
to first lieutenants. 

On March 24 the regiment left at seven o'clock 
in the morning, and marched from Bolivar through 
Harper's Ferry over the railroad bridge which had 
just been rebuilt and down the river to Sandy Hook, 
where it took train for Washington, from whence it 
embarked on steamer to Fortress Monroe and Hamp- 
ton. We disembarked at Hampton and marched out 
a mile on the road to Big Bethel and bivouacked. 
Here we had a most excellent view of the Monitor, 
a most insignificant looking affair, so much so that 
one would laugh at the idea of her fighting the Mer- 
rimac. Her turret did not reach up to the deck of 
a small ship. 



FROM POTOMAC TO CHICKAHOMINY 81 

The next morning, April 1, was beautiful; the day 
was bright and warm, and the trees were already 
budding. On April 4 at 9 a. m. we marched through 
Little Bethel and Big Bethel, and bivouacked just 
beyond the latter village at six o'clock in the evening. 
Here were very extensive earthworks and barracks 
which had been deserted by the rebels the day before. 

The next morning, leaving camp at five o'clock, 
the regiment marched to Howard's Bridge, where the 
rebels had extensive works, which we reached about 
nine o'clock. The firing of heavy guns was heard 
a long distance ahead continuously after nine o'clock, 
and moving ahead of the other divisions, we turned 
off on a cross-road to the left, where musketry firing 
was soon heard, and then passed through an exten- 
sive rebel camp very recently deserted. After a long 
tramp through the mud, the troops came to an open 
clearing in the woods, where about thirty thousand 
men were drawn up in close column, with artillery 
in the rear and on the flanks. The firing soon ceased, 
and the regiment finally camped four miles beyond 
Big Bethel, within five miles or less of Yorktown 
and near Dr. Powers's house. The rebels were in- 
trenched in a semicircle one mile and a quarter in 
front, in what was known afterwards as the Wynn's 
Mill works. This was the centre column of the army. 
Smith's division of Keyes's Fourth Corps being on 
the left on the lower Warwick River, and Hamilton's 
division of Heintzelman's Third Corps on the right 
in front of Yorktown. 

On the 7th the regiment had its first movement in 
this campaign in the neighborhood of the enemy. 
It was ordered to fall in at 7 a. m. without knapsacks, 
and started immediately on a reconnoissance with 
the Nineteenth Massachusetts and the First Massa- 



82 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

chusetts Sharpshooters, all under General Dana, and 
with an engineer officer. Captain Shepard being 
officer of the day. Captains Putnam and Tremlett 
sick, and Lieutenant Tilden officer of the guard, they 
were left in camp; so Lieutenant Mason commanded 
Company H, the left flank company, Lieutenant 
Whittier Company A, and Lieutenant Ropes Com- 
pany K. 

The troops marched about two miles and halted 
on the edge of the woods, formed line, and then ad- 
vanced some distance through the woods, coming 
out at last on a road and forming line, the Nineteenth 
on the right and the Twentieth on the left. Pickets 
were then sent out, who soon discovered the rebels. 
Before long moderate musketry fire was opened 
which was kept up for some hours. About three 
o'clock we fell in again and marched by the left flank 
along the road to an open field, where the Nineteenth 
halted while the Twentieth continued, soon coming 
to the burning ruins of a fine house, where it turned 
from the road, and entering the woods came out at 
an open place. After marching along the edge of these 
woods it halted and formed line. 

Company I was then thrown out as skirmishers, 
soon followed by Companies A and F. Just then 
the rebels opened with a thirty-two pound shell, 
which was thrown into the Nineteenth on our right. 
The Twentieth was protected by a slight elevation. 
A detachment of sharpshooters was sent forward, 
and soon the firing of the rebel artillery slackened 
very much. The regiment was moved forward and 
formed line close to the enemy, but unseen by them, 
owing to the hill. As General Dana had only come 
for a reconnoissance and did not wish to bring on 
a battle, no further movement was made, and the 



FROM POTOMAC TO CHICKAHOMINY 83 

troops were ordered back. No one in the Twentieth 
was hit in this reconnoissance, but some damage 
was done to the Nineteenth. 

On the 10th Lieutenant Sturgis went as aide-de- 
camp on the staff of General Berry, commanding 
the Third Brigade in Kearney's First Division of 
Heintzelman's Third Corps, and served with him 
in the battles of WiUiamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage's 
Station, Glendale, and Malvern Hill, and until obliged 
to resign his commission from illness on July 10, 1862. 

The brigade remained here until the 16th, when 
it broke camp and moved forward with four com- 
panies of the Twentieth. The whole division, except 
the cavalry, went with them. This was the time 
when the Vermont brigade of Smith's division, of the 
Fourth Corps, on the left, waded across Warwick 
Creek and broke through the enemy's line, but, as 
no supports were ordered up, had to retire. During 
the night there was a very sharp musketry fire in the 
advance, and brigade line was formed; but soon the 
fire slackened and the men were dismissed, though 
ordered to remain with arms ready and not to un- 
dress. There was no further alarm during the night, 
however. It turned out that the rebels had made a 
sortie in return, and had been repulsed by the Second 
Vermont. The next morning we moved into an open 
place and pitched camp, which we called Winfield 
Scott. 

From this time on the troops were very near the 
enemy's works, and were turned out constantly 
during the night. There was sharp picket firing all 
the time, day and night. Every day one brigade 
did picket duty in front of the division, the picket 
posts being about an eighth of a mile from the rebel 
works. No music or calls of any kind were allowed 



84 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

in camp. The troops were roused up every morning 
at three o'clock and kept standing under arms until 
full daylight. When not on picket, the regiment 
furnished frequent details for working-parties, both 
night and day, on roads, fortifications, and in the 
trenches. The outworks of the enemy were visible 
through the trees by day, and the lights of their work- 
ing-parties by night. Even the sound of their con- 
versation could be distinctly heard, and an occasional 
shot from a sharpshooter or a volley of musketry 
kept the picket on the qui vive. 

On the 18th the .regiment was turned out at 12.30 
A. M., and stood under arms for three hours on ac- 
count of sharp firing in front. There was smart 
firing all day, and Private Kershaw of Company 
H was wounded in the breast, the first Twentieth 
man injured on the peninsula. Easter Sunday, 
April 20, the entire brigade was suddenly turned 
out under arms, marched forward, and formed in 
line of battle, where it remained until nearly sun- 
down. It was again turned out in the evening, formed 
in line, and kept waiting until one in the morning, 
when it turned in again. On the 23d a detail from 
the regiment with one from the Nineteenth Massa- 
chusetts went out at 6 p. m. to Battery 7 and worked 
all night, mounting seven guns, and returned to camp 
at eight o'clock the next morning. Such was the routine 
of working and watching, fighting and digging, with 
constant alarms and forming line, with incessant 
firing in front, and almost incessant rain from above, 
and with interminable wet and mud below. 

On the 23d Captain Bartlett, the acting lieu- 
tenant-colonel, was seriously wounded by a sharp- 
shooter while in command of our picket line. He 
had gone to the advanced posts and was crouching 



FROM POTOMAC TO CHICKAHOMINY 85 

down examining the enemy's works with a glass, 
when a ball struck him in the knee and shattered 
the bones down to the middle of the calf. He was 
immediately brought in on a stretcher and his leg 
was amputated, and he was sent to Ship Point and 
then to Washington and Baltimore. This was a sad 
loss to the regiment, for he was an unusually able 
and gallant officer, and was admired by everybody. 
He never rejoined the regiment, for as soon as he 
was able to do duty again, he was commissioned 
colonel of the Forty-ninth Massachusetts. In this 
position, and later as colonel of the Fifty-seventh 
Massachusetts, as brigadier-general, and as brevet 
major-general, he increased the reputation that he 
had earned in the limited sphere of the Twentieth 
regiment, and made his name one of the most fa- 
mous in the roll of the noble soldiers of Massachusetts. 
On the evening of May 2, Colonel Lee, Major 
Revere, and Assistant Surgeon Revere, having finaUy 
secured their exchange, reached the regiment, much 
to the delight of all. The next morning Colonel Lee 
went out on picket in command of the regiment, 
and at three o'clock on the following morning, Sun- 
day, May 4, all were turned out under arms because 
of heavy infantry firing on the right. Just then an 
aide-de-camp came up on the gallop and ordered the 
Colonel to advance on the enemy's works, as they 
had evacuated. Colonel Lee gave the order, and the 
regiment entered the woods in front and came out 
on an open swamp right in front of the extensive 
works of the rebels. A few signal men could be 
seen on part of the works, but no guns or flags. The 
regiment waded through a swamp and crossed two 
very deep and broad ditches of water by means of 
bridges left by the rebels, and at a quarter before 



86 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

eight mounted the principal redoubt. Colonel Lee 
instantly shouted for the regimental flag, and in a 
few minutes it waved, the first United States flag 
on the rebel works at Yorktown. Soon after the 
regiment had occupied this part of the works, other 
regiments came up, and the Twentieth moved into 
the fort, stacked arms, and rested on the large parade- 
ground inside. At about noon it marched back to 
the old camp. 

Early in the morning of the fourth the entire 
cavalry force of the army and five divisions of in- 
fantry, all under command of General Sumner, were 
sent forward toward Williamsburg, by the two roads 
leading from the Yorktown line of defences, to harass 
the enemy's rear and try to cut off his forces. The 
roads were already in very bad condition, and be- 
came almost impassable from the heavy rain. At 
7.30 A. M. of the 5th, General Hooker opened the 
attack, and quite a severe fight ensued, lasting until 
the middle of the afternoon, when the enemy con- 
tinued his retreat. This is what is known as the Battle 
of Williamsburg, in which the Union losses were 
2228 and the Confederate losses 1560. The Twenti- 
eth took no part in it, but remained near Yorktown. 

On the morning of this day the regiment fell in 
and marched about three miles to the right, to within 
half a mile of Yorktown, and halted near the York 
River. The land here was rather hilly and very 
pretty, with the grass green and the trees in flower. 
Late in the afternoon the two diyisions of the corps 
were ordered to march to Williamsburg; but the 
orders were changed before any movement had been 
made, and the regiment was directed to go by water 
to West Point to support General Franklin in his 
attempt to cut off Magruder's retreat from that 



FROM POTOMAC TO CHICKAHOMINY 87 

point, and started for Yorktown. With only half a 
mile to march it took eleven hours, until six o'clock 
on Tuesday evening, to get over that ground. It had 
settled down into a regular steady rain, and all the 
troops were exposed for the whole night to this pour- 
ing cold rain and deep mud, while Headquarters 
was trying to empty three roads full of troops into 
one small town and get them on board ship at the 
same moment. 

At eight o'clock on Tuesday, May 6, the regiment 
embarked on the steamer C. Vanderbilt in com- 
pany with the Nineteenth Massachusetts. It was six 
o'clock before the wharf at West Point was reached, 
about twenty-five miles northwest of Yorktown up 
the York River at the junction of the Pamunkey 
and Mattapony. A little further up the Pamunkey 
River we stopped for the night opposite an immense 
open flat on the southerly bank, where a great many 
troops had already landed. The river was crowded 
with boats and barges, and several gunboats were 
there also. 

Disembarking at about 6 A. m. by means of the 
boats of the pontoon train, it was nearly ten o'clock 
before everything was ashore. The regiment was soon 
ordered into line without knapsacks, as scattering 
fire had begun on the edge of the field where the 
woods began. The infantry and artillery were rapidly 
thrown forward, and the Twentieth was marched out 
and drawn up in line of battle nearly in the centre 
of the field, but rather nearer the river. The troops 
then moved into the woods in front and on the right, 
while the Twentieth was marched to the left, and 
drew up in line of battle facing the woods in that 
direction, with the left resting on the river. The fight- 
ing here was by General Franklin's division, in the 



88 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS . 

centre and on the right. The rebel force was General 
Whiting's division and part of Magruder's command. 

On the 9th we fell in about one in the afternoon, 
and marched at five o'clock with the rest of the bri- 
gade about three miles up the southern bank of the 
Pamunkey and bivouacked at Eltham's. On the 11th 
General McClellan visited camp. News was received 
during the day of the occupation of Norfolk and the 
blowing up of the Merrimac that morning. During 
the whole of this retreat of the rebels and the slow 
pursuit up the peninsula, there were constant rumors 
that they would surrender and give up the war, or at 
least abandon Richmond without a battle, and Colonel 
Lee then secured the promise of the position of pro- 
vost marshal of Richmond as compensation for his 
sufferings there. The regiment stayed here until the 
15th, when it marched to a point about a mile and 
a half from Cumberland, ten miles up the river. Re- 
maining at Cumberhmd until Sunday, the 18th, on 
that day the regiment started at seven o'clock, and 
marched through New Kent Court House and camped 
in a beautiful spot about four miles from White House. 
On the 21st we marched all day, making about ten 
miles, and going beyond Baltimore Cross Roads, 
where we encamped about three miles from Bottom's 
Bridge over the Chickahominy. 

On the 23d we started without knapsacks at 7.30 
A. M., took the railroad track of the Richmond and 
York River Railroad, and made a reconnoissance, 
together with the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsyl- 
vania of Burns's brigade, marching about ten miles 
through woods and over farms, and finally pitched 
camp on the northerly side of the railroad about four 
miles from the last place, and remained for some 
time. This place was called Camp Tyler for ex- 



FROM POTOMAC TO CHICKAHOMINY 89 

President Tyler, whose magnificent estate was close 
by. This is a fine farming country with a great deal 
of wheat growing, and there are beautiful woods 
and frequent springs of good water. 

On May 28 General Porter, on the right, having 
made a movement to Hanover Court House, where he 
won a brilliant little fight against General Branch, the 
regiment was ordered to march at 4.30 a. m. to his 
old lines near New Bridge, and was halted in a field 
with the rest of the division and remained there until 
6 p. M. of the next day. 

The 30th was very hot, followed by a tempest at 
night, — a perfect deluge of rain. About midnight 
heavy cannonading was heard toward Richmond. 



CHAPTER IV 

FAIR OAKS 

On Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, 1862, 
was fought the Battle of Fair Oaks. A few days 
before Keyes's Fourth Corps and Heintzelman's Third 
Corps had been pushed across the Chickahominy 
River on the Wilhamsburg Road, the direct road to 
Richmond. Keyes's corps was in the advance, and 
its leading division, Casey's, had gone to Seven Pines 
and begun to throw up works to hold this important 
position and the road in the rear, which connected 
the separate wings of the army, but only slight pro- 
gress had been made on the fortifications by that 
evening. 

This division held the extreme front line, protected 
by these unfinished works, with three brigades in line 
across the Williamsburg Road. A short distance be- 
hind Casey was the other division of the Fourth 
Corps, Couch's, who had two brigades in line across 
the Williamsburg Road in front of Seven Pines, while 
his third brigade was on the Nine Mile Road about 
a quarter of a mile east of Fair Oaks Station, being 
in echelon beyond the right of the other two brigades. 
The Third Corps was considerably in the rear of the 
Fourth, Hooker's division of three brigades watching 
the road from White Oak Swamp on the extreme left 
and rear, and one brigade of Kearney's division being 
at Bottom's Bridge, so that these four brigades did not 
get into the fight of the 31st at all. But two brigades 



w MecHaWvc sv'iWe 



r" 




■RICHMOND A«,VIC1N1TY (^ 



FAIR OAKS 91 

of Kearney's division had been moved forward on the 
30th, and encamped near Savage's Station, and did 
good service. These troops were the only ones then 
across the Chickahominy. If this had been an ordinary 
river, their position would not have been precarious, 
provided good works had been thrown up in front 
and plenty of bridges built. But it was far different 
with the treacherous Chickahominy, "of which," 
as General Palfrey says, "it was hard to say at the 
best of times where its banks were, and of which no 
man could say to-day where its banks would be to- 
morrow." The Second Corps encamped near the 
Tyler house, about a mile from the river on its 
northerly or left bank. The upper bridge was three 
miles in a straight line from Fair Oaks Station, and 
the lower one was two miles from Savage's Station. 
The Second Corps was the nearest body of troops on 
that side of the river. General Joseph E. Johnston, 
the Confederate commander-in-chief, having learned 
of the isolated position of General Keyes's corps, 
planned to crush it while it was separated from the 
others, and moved twenty-three of his twenty-seven 
brigades against the six brigades of this corps, while 
he sent his other four brigades under General A. P. 
Hill to watch the right flank of the Federal Army 
across the river between New and Meadow Bridges. 
His plans were assisted by the elements, for on the 
night of the 30th. a most violent tempest arose, with 
a perfect deluge of rain, which raised the water in 
the Chickahominy to a deep and rushing torrent. 

General Longstreet, commanding the rebel right, 
consisting of his own division of six brigades and Gen- 
eral D. H. Hill's division of four brigades, marched 
straight down the Williamsburg Road toward General 
Casey's position. General Huger, forming part of 



92 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Longstreet's command, with his division containing 
three brigades, was sent to the right by the Charles 
City Road, from which he was to turn into the White 
Oak Swamp Road and come in on the rear of Gen- 
eral Couch's left. General Gustavus W. Smith, the 
second in rank, with his own division, then com- 
manded by General Whiting, consisting of five bri- 
gades, and General Magruder's division, containing 
five brigades, was sent north of the railroad over the 
Nine Mile Road to turn the right. The rebel army 
then was disposed with fourteen brigades north of the 
railroad. General Johnston went himself to his left 
wing to take charge there, where unforeseen compli- 
cations might arise by General McClellan attempting 
to send over reinforcements. President Jefferson 
Davis and General Robert E. Lee came out with the 
rebel army and were a short distance in the rear. 

General Longstreet opened the battle at 1 p. m. 
With D. H. Hill's four brigades, supported by two 
of his own, he made a fierce attack down the Wil- 
liamsburg Road on Casey's division. These troops 
were the rawest and least disciplined in the Federal 
Army, and some of them behaved badly. But prob- 
ably the majority of them showed courage and made 
as good a stand as could be made by green troops, 
with their organizations considerably broken, against 
twice their number; for then the rebels had six bri- 
gades actually fighting (besides three in support) 
against three. However, they were quickly driven 
back to their second line. Couch's division of their 
corps; but they were thoroughly broken up, having 
lost very heavily in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 
besides an enormous number of stragglers, and as an 
organization were of no more use in this battle. 
Couch's division made a good stand here, but was 



FAIR OAKS 93 

gradually forced back beyond Seven Pines and nearly 
to Savage's Station. Here they were reinforced by 
two brigades of Kearney's division of the Third Corps, 
and by the stout fighting of these five brigades (one 
of which was soon cut off north of the railroad) 
Longstreet was stopped at dark, although he had in 
the mean time put in two more of his brigades, mak- 
ing eight in all engaged. 

General Johnston had his left wing in position at 
the junction of the Nine Mile and New Bridge Roads 
in ample season, and waited for the sound of Long- 
street's attack. Owing to the intervening woods or 
some peculiarity of the atmosphere, he could not 
hear his musketry, and it was 4 p. m. before an aide, 
whom he had sent to General Longstreet, reported 
that the latter had been engaged for an hour and was 
pressing forward with vigor. General Johnston, see- 
ing no sign of reinforcements coming from the Fed- 
eral troops north of the Chickahominy and thinking 
that the river was probably impassable by that time, 
left Magruder alone to continue the watch, and im- 
mediately started with Smith's five brigades down 
the Nine Mile Road to Fair Oaks Station, intending 
to bring these additional troops into action on the 
right flank and rear of the Fourth Corps. This re- 
sult was partially accomplished, for General John- 
ston and the two leading brigades actually passed 
Fair Oaks Station and got south of the railroad, 
having thus passed by the right flank and into the 
right rear of Casey's original line. As they came up, 
however, after Casey's right had been driven back 
on to Couch's extreme right brigade, they struck in 
front, and on the right of this brigade, the then 
extreme right flank of the Fourth Corps. General 
Keyes ordered Couch to advance with two regiments 



94 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

from the right and overthrow the rebel left. This 
General Couch attempted, being immediately reen- 
forced by one additional regiment from each of the 
other two divisions, but his force was too insigni- 
ficant and was quickly brushed aside, although he 
captured a few prisoners; and in twenty minutes 
the two brigades brought by General Johnston 
joining the advance of the rebel left wing pushed 
on, leaving Couch and his four regiments, with four 
guns of Brady's battery, north of the railroad, entirely 
isolated from his corps. The third brigade of John- 
ston's left wing under Pettigrew was now approaching 
Fair Oaks Station by the same road, followed by 
Hatton's and Hampton's brigades. General Couch 
was therefore obliged to fall back on the Grapevine 
(Sumner's upper) Bridge Road, which he did for about 
half a mile, halting on a slight elevation near the 
Adams house, within view and range of Fair Oaks 
Station. From this point he opened with his four 
guns on Pettigrew's brigade, although even then he 
kept his little brigade in column of regiments ready 
to deploy and fight, or to retreat to the river, or to 
try and cut through and rejoin his corps, or to march 
around to Savage's Station, as should prove neces- 
sary or advisable. 

Pettigrew first sent a regiment against this bat- 
tery, but it was easily driven back. He then advanced 
with his whole brigade, but could make no impres- 
sion. General Smith therefore stopped his last two 
brigades, Hatton's and Hampton's, and formed them 
on Pettigrew's left, while Whiting's brigade was 
turned back across the railroad and formed on Pet- 
tigrew's right. This was about 4.30 p. m. 

At 1 p. M. with the first sound of battle. General 
McClellan sent orders to General Sumner to be in 



FAIR OAKS 95 

readiness to move with his corps at a moment's 
notice. The Twentieth instantly fell in without knap- 
sacks, with sixty rounds of ammunition and one 
day's rations. This noble old soldier, always ready 
for battle, formed his columns, and with the sound 
of the conflict in his ears marched them toward the 
guns to the furthest point permissible by his orders, 
and only halted when the heads of column rested 
on the bridges, Sedgwick's division, in which was 
the Twentieth, at the Grapevine and Richardson's 
division at the lower bridge. This promptness in 
moving out saved at least an hour, and so saved the 
day on the north side of the railroad. 

General Sumner himself was with Sedgwick's 
division at the upper bridge head waiting anxiously 
and impatiently for the order to cross. About 2.30 
it came, and "Forward!" was immediately sounded. 
The bridge fortunately held together, and the weight 
of the troops held it down and in place. The infan- 
try got over without excessive difficulty, but the ar- 
tillery found crossing almost impossible, so that of 
the entire corps artillery, Kirby's Battery I, of the 
First United States, was all that could be brought 
over. This was accomplished only by heavy details 
of infantry, almost carrying the guns by sheer muscle, 
oftentimes up to their waists in water. Of our divi- 
sion first came Gorman's brigade, with the First 
Minnesota leading; then Burns's brigade, followed 
by Dana's. The Nineteenth Massachusetts was on 
outlying picket, and therefore did not cross until the 
next day, while the Forty-second New York was left 
after crossing to protect the bridge, so that in the 
brigade only the Seventh Michigan and the Twenti- 
eth got a share in this fight, the latter being the last 
regiment of the division to get up. 



96 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Only one brigade, French's, of Richardson's divi- 
sion, succeeded in crossing the lower bridge before 
it became impassable, and the other brigades were 
obliged to march up on the left bank and cross the 
upper bridge later on. Only two and a half brigades 
and five light twelve-pounders arrived in season to 
assist Couch's four regiments and four guns on the 
31st, making his total force three and a half brigades 
and nine guns. After crossing the flooded low ground 
near the river, the troops ascended quite a hill and 
came into a very pretty open country, through which 
they marched at quickstep for a mile, when they 
reached the Trent house, where they stopped and 
loaded. They started again immediately, and pressed 
on as rapidly as possible, soon hearing firing in front ; 
then they hurried on, most of the time at double- 
quick, wading through a stream and pushing on 
with the utmost rapidity, although it was terribly 
muddy and awfully hot. 

At 4.30, as soon as General Couch saw General 
Sumner coming up with reinforcements, he deployed 
his own troops, placing the Sixty-fifth New York 
and Eighty-second Pennsylvania close in front of the 
woods on the right of the road to Fair Oaks Sta- 
tion, and the Sixty-second New York and Seventh 
Massachusetts in the open field on the left of the 
road in support of the guns. While he was deploy- 
ing, Sumner's leading regiment, the First Minne- 
sota, arrived, and was detached to extend the line 
on the right of Couch. Sully's First Minnesota was 
not a moment too soon, for as he was deploying, a 
rebel column appeared in the edge of the woods, and 
then, seeing troops forming, fell back under cover 
to form line for an assault. Gorman's other regiments 
reached the scene about five o'clock, and were turned 



FAIR OAKS 97 

in to the left of the road and there deployed, the Fif- 
teenth Massachusetts in support of Brady's four guns, 
soon reinforced by three of Kirby's coming up 
behind this division, the Eighty-second and Thirty- 
fourth New York beyond the Adams house, form- 
ing nearly at right angles to the rest of the line and 
almost parallel to the Fair Oaks Station Road. 

General Sumner, who had assumed command of 
the field, had now at five o'clock two brigades and 
seven guns in position. The rebels then renewed 
their attack, apparently with the entire four brigades 
then present under General Smith; viz., Whiting's, 
Pettigrew's, Hatton's, and Hampton's. 

Smith's troops fought most gallantly, making many 
charges directly against the centre held by the Sixty- 
fifth New York and Eighty-second Pennsylvania, 
and also rushing from the woods across the road 
and swinging to the left against the guns. Although 
their men did nobly and sometimes came within fif- 
teen yards of the guns, they were driven back every 
time. 

In the mean time, about 5.30, Burns's brigade came 
up, and two regiments, the Sixty-ninth and Seventy- 
second Pennsylvania, were sent to extend the right 
beyond the Courtney house, while the others were 
placed in support of the left centre. Two guns of 
Brady's battery were sent to assist the First Minne- 
sota, on which the enemy now made a furious assault. 
This attack also was repulsed. 

At 5.45 the Twentieth came in sight of the field 
and found Kirby's five guns and the two guns of 
Brady's left section with a line of infantry on each 
side on a little elevation near the Adams house. The 
artillery and infantry were firing very rapidly. The 
Twentieth immediately turned in from the left of 



98 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the road and hurried to the left of the Hne behind 
the crest, and, as they came on, were ordered to take 
position in extension of this flank on top of the ridge 
by the command, "On the right by file into line!" 
It then took position about one hundred yards to 
the south of the Adams house. The Seventh Michi- 
gan was formed on the left, making the extreme left 
flank of this wing. The Twentieth was ordered to 
commence firing by file as soon as it got into line, 
which was promptly done, and as the line developed, 
the hostile fire became quite warm. The left wing 
of the line was nearly at right angles to the right wing ; 
and about two hundred and fifty yards in front of 
and parallel with the line was a road which was the 
continuation of the road from our bridge to Fair 
Oaks Station. Beyond this road were woods in which 
the enemy was formed. We were soon ordered to 
move to the left, and ceased firing, faced to the left, 
marched about a hundred yards, faced to the front 
again, and reopened fire. After a few minutes of heavy 
firing the rebels attempted to capture the guns by 
assault. Some of them got within fifteen yards of 
the guns, but could not stand the fire. As they fell 
back. General Sumner gave the order for the whole 
line to charge, and it moved forward on double-quick 
with fixed bayonets, tore down the fences on both 
sides of the road, and charged into the woods. Our 
part of the line had to charge over a soft and muddy 
plowed field into which the men actually sank up 
to their knees at every step. The enemy fled. We 
were then halted and ordered back to the road, where 
we were formed and moved a little to the left on the 
road, and again formed line. A force of the enemy 
was drawn up beyond the road in a piece of woods on 
the left near the station, and opened a brisk fire, but 



FAIR OAKS 99 

on firing a single volley on them and again charging 
with the bayonet, they gave way. Our troops fol- 
lowed them about a hundred yards into the woods, 
then halted and soon stopped firing, and the battle 
north of the railroad was over for the day. It was 
then so dark that the men could not see each other's 
faces, probably about eight o'clock. 

The total Confederate force actually engaged in 
the separate fight on the northerly side of the rail- 
road was Smith's division, consisting of the five bri- 
gades commanded by Pettigrew, Hatton, Hampton, 
Whiting, and Hood. Opposed, the greatest number 
engaged was the three and one half brigades speci- 
fied, which contained fourteen regiments and nine 
guns. As the rebels started from their works on a 
carefully planned attack, while Sedgwick's division 
had been hurriedly summoned and had therefore 
left guards, etc., behind, taking only the men imme- 
diately available, it is most likely that they had more 
men to a regiment than their opponents in this fight. 
They fought splendidly and they also give the Fed- 
erals credit for fighting magnificently. 

General Johnston was wounded in the shoulder 
by a rifle shot, and soon after, about seven o'clock, 
disabled by a wound from a fragment of shell. Of 
their five brigade commanders General Hatton was 
killed, General Pettigrew wounded and captured, 
and Colonel Hampton wounded in the foot, although 
he was able to keep his saddle. They suffered a loss 
of twelve hundred and seventy-three. The loss of 
Sedgwick's division was three hundred and forty- 
seven, and in Couch's force one hundred and twenty- 
one (which includes those lost south of the railroad), 
a total of four hundred and sixty-eight. The Twen- 
tieth captured General Pettigrew and Lieutenant- 



100 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Colonel Bull, both of South Carolina, and also took 
prisoners from North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, 
Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas regi- 
ments. 

Between 6.30 and 7 a. m. of Sunday, June 1, some 
of the troops on the south of the railroad, who had 
slept on their arms within half musket range of each 
other, came into collision by accident and without 
the intention of the commanders on either side. 
Some splendid fighting was there done by Richard- 
son's division of our corps and Hooker's division of 
the Third Corps, neither of which had been engaged 
on the previous day, against troops of Longstreet's, 
D. H. Hill's, and Huger's divisions. This action 
lasted about two hours, when the rebels were driven 
back, and their whole army then retired to the de- 
fences of Richmond; when the troops south of the 
railroad reoccupied the position captured from Casey, 
throwing pickets out in front, while we, on the north 
of the railroad, took position on the Nine Mile Road 
beyond our field of battle. 

The casualties of the Twentieth at Fair Oaks 
were : — 

Company A. Killed: Private Alvin Tower (died June 8, 
1862). Wounded: Private Jeremiah C. Haley (slightly). 

Company B. Wounded: Corporal William Wanders (severely 
in head); Private Joseph Pabst (slightly). 

Company C. Wounded: Sergeant Philip P. Joseff (slightly); 
Private John S. Betz. 

Company D. Wounded: Private John Lyon. 

Company E. Killed: Corporal Thomas Dwyer (died June 
2, 1862). Wounded: Corporal Uriah J. Streeter (thigh). 

Company F. Wounded: Privates John Daly (slightly), Levi 



FAIR OAKS 101 

Gilman (finger), Thomas B. Love (slightly), Eugene Mc- 
Laughlin (shghtly), Michael O'Connor (toe). 

Company H. Killed: Privates Alexander Devlin (died June 
2, 1862), Charles A. Foster. Wounded: Privates Patrick 
Foley (slightly). Christian Spicer (in side). 

Company I. Killed: Private Abraham C. Rush. Wounded : 
Second Lieutenant WilUam IjL. Riddle (injured by horse); 
Corporal William Kelley (shghtly) ; Private George R. Bailey 
(shghtly). 

Company K. Wounded: Privates Henry Bowman (shghtly), 
Theophilus Chase (shghtly), Michael Donnelly (in chest), 
Martin Foley (shghtly), John F. McQuade (thigh), Adam Mor- 
ton (shghtly). 

Lieutenant Riddle, who was thrown down by Gen- 
eral Dana's dying horse, had the tender stump of 
his arm, which had scarcely healed since his wound 
at Ball's Bluff, so injured that after a short stay at 
the hospital he was obliged to give up service in the 
field forever. Three of the wounded men were unable 
to return to the regiment, so that the Twentieth lost 
permanently one lieutenant and eight men in this 
battle. Lieutenants Peirson and Milton were in the 
battle serving on General Dana's staff, and Lieu- 
tenant Sturgis was attached to Berry's staff in the 
Third Corps. 



CHAPTER V 

THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLE 

On June 1 it rained again heavily in the morning, 
but cleared off very hot later in the day. The 
bridge by which we had crossed the Chickahominy 
was carried away this day, and as Bottom's Bridge 
was also impracticable, we were entirely cut off from 
the left bank. There was another heavy tempest 
on the night of the following day, succeeded by hot 
weather during the next day, with another very heavy 
rain that evening. All through this weather and until 
the 8th we remained in the advanced line, a short 
distance in front of our battlefield of May 31, cover- 
ing Fair Oaks Station, and with our pickets a quar- 
ter of a mile in advance near a shanty on the Nine 
Mile Road. On the 6th the corps moved forward 
about half a mile nearer Richmond, with the left 
wing of the regiment across the railroad and still 
in the very front line. 

From May 31 to June 11 we remained in proxim- 
ity to the enemy, so that we were unable to take off 
our equipments, not even our boots, and for most 
of the time — until the bridges were rebuilt — we 
had very short rations and no tents or even blankets, 
so that we had to stand in the mud and rain by day 
and lie in it at night, with no protection and no 
chance of drying ourselves except by nature's remedy, 
the sun, when the clouds occasionally allowed it to 
shine. 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 103 

On the 11th we were reheved in the front Hne and 
marched back on the raih'oad about a mile to some 
pleasant high ground, still about three quarters of 
a mile in advance, or west, of the position that we 
took up on the night of the late battle. Here we 
had our first chance for eleven days to take off our 
clothes, perform respectable toilets, and put on clean 
clothes once more. Several of the men were used 
up by our late exposure, and some cases of scurvy 
developed in consequence of our steady diet of salt 
provisions, but on the whole the regiment stood it 
pretty well. In order to counteract the effect of the 
great dampness a ration of whiskey was given to the 
men every morning, and did much good. In this 
camp, which was called Camp Lincoln, we were 
turned out every morning at three o'clock and stood 
under arms in line for half an hour, so as to be ready 
in case an early morning attack should be made; 
then the men were allowed to sit down, still with 
arms in their hands, for another hour, when they 
were dismissed. The weather now became pleasant, 
dry, and warm, a most agreeable change. By mak- 
ing beds of poles supported on stakes about two feet 
above the ground and pitching shelter tents also on 
stilts, we had very comfortable quarters, dry, shel- 
tered, and airy. Here we managed to get a few lemons 
and potatoes, and with these, the latter being ad- 
ministered raw and mashed in vinegar, we subdued 
the scurvy. 

Lieutenant Perry, who had come back to us after 
his exchange, although his health had been so com- 
pletely shattered by his imprisonment that his phy- 
sician forbade his return, had been obliged by fever to 
go into the hospital before the Battle of Fair Oaks. 
He now went home on leave, and never rejoined 



104 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the regiment. Lieutenants Messer and Miiller were 
now promoted to first lieutenants, and Sergeants 
Hirschauer of Company B and Pousland of Company 
H received their commissions as second Heutenants 
and were respectively assigned to Companies C and D. 

On the 18th the regiment was turned out under 
arms at half-past two in the afternoon, and stood 
there for about four hours, but the expected fight 
did not come off, although all had to sleep with their 
accoutrements on. On the 21st there was another 
alarm and some lively shooting in front, but beyond 
forming line there was nothing done. The men 
got a turn at digging forts by way of variety on the 23d, 
when a party from the regiment was sent to work 
on fortifications for a battery of sixty-four pound 
howitzers. Thus passed a fortnight of comparative 
peace in a pleasant camp, giving a rest from the 
twelve arduous days in and after the Battle of Fair 
Oaks, and fitting all for the still more severe strain 
of the Seven Days' Battles now to come. 

On the morning of June 25, 1862, Porter's Fifth 
Corps was at Gaines's Mill, covering New Bridge, 
with two brigades of McCall's division in advance 
near Mechanics ville as supports to his outposts, 
and Stoneman's cavalry on the right watching the 
country between the Chickahominy and Pamunkey 
rivers. The remainder of the army was south of 
the Chickahominy, holding a line from the river 
running westward beyond the Williamsburg Road, 
the Sixth Corps on the right, the Second, Third, and 
Fourth corps connecting with it in the order of their 
naming. 

General McClellan began a forward move by ad- 
vancing the troops next on the left of our corps, who 
drove in the enemy's outposts. The fighting fell 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 105 

principally on Hooker's division of the Third Corps, 
although the Nineteenth Massachusetts of our bri- 
gade had quite a fight with a flanking force of the 
enemy. Our troops held the ground won, which was 
within four miles of Richmond, and remained there 
until the change of base obliged them to abandon 
it three days later. 

It was while this fight was going on that McClel- 
lan received information which appeared to confirm 
an earlier and somewhat vague report, received the 
day before, that Jackson was approaching from the 
Shenandoah Valley with the intention of turning 
our right flank north of the Chickahominy River. 
This information proved to be correct, for Jackson 
reached Ashland Station, twelve miles north of Rich- 
mond, that afternoon, where he was met by Stuart's 
brigade of cavalry, sent out from Richmond to cover 
his left in the proposed movement. 

By the morning of June 26 the Confederate Army, 
which had been under command of General Robert 
E. Lee since Johnston's wound at Fair Oaks, was 
already well started on its endeavor to crush our 
isolated right wing under Porter and cut us off from 
our base of supplies at White House on York River. 
At this time Jackson was at Ashland Station, a dozen 
miles north of Richmond, which he had reached the 
previous night with a force consisting of ten brigades. 
He had here been joined by Stuart with the greater 
part of his brigade of cavalry, which had marched 
out of Richmond for the purpose at noon that day. 

This movement had been planned and the arrange- 
ments carried out to this point without suspicion 
on our part until the previous afternoon, except for 
the single report of Jackson's coming from the Valley 
given to McClellan on the 24th by a deserter, as 



106 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

already mentioned. The troops detached from Lee's 
army had been moved behind a curtain formed by 
the remainder of his army, which retained its pre- 
vious station in our front practically vi^ithout moving 
for the next three days, and until the fighting north 
of the Chickahominy was over, no doubt devoutly 
praying that our other four corps would not fall 
upon and overwhelm this attenuated centre and 
right. 

The force which they left south of the Chicka- 
hominy consisted of Magruder's corps, containing 
six brigades, which extended from Golding's farm 
in front of New Bridge to the York River Railroad, 
beyond which point Huger held the line on the right 
wing, covering as far south as the Charles City Road 
and watching the crossings of White Oak Swamp 
on our extreme left flank. He had his own three bri- 
gades and also Ransom's of Holmes's division, which 
had reached him from Drury's Bluff at 9 a. m. on 
the 25th, in time to take part in the fight at Oak 
Grove. On the right of Huger there were two and 
a half regiments of cavalry left by Stuart to watch 
the roads between White Oak Swamp and James 
River. At Chafiin's Bluff, on the northeasterly side of 
James River, was Henry A. Wise with his brigade, 
who took part with the majority of his force in the 
later part of the Seven Days' attacks, while at Druiy's 
Bluff, opposite, was Holmes's division. 

Jackson actually began his flanking march about 
9 A. M. of Thursday, June 26, moving in an easterly 
direction with Stuart's cavalry on his left, and A. P. 
Hill started across the Chickahominy with five bri- 
gades at 3 p. M. and turned directly in the direction 
of Mechanics ville. Our outposts made a good re- 
sistance, obliging Hill to form line of battle with 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 107 

four of his brigades, holding the fifth in reserve. At 
this time he was joined by Branch, who was ordered 
in as a support to the others. Our men now fell back 
slowly to our selected position on the easterly bank 
of Beaver Dam Creek. This was a little stream, 
about a mile east of Mechanicsville, which ran almost 
directly south into the Chickahominy. Although it 
was only twenty or thirty feet wide, its easterly bank 
was very steep, so that it afforded a strong position 
for our men, which they had improved by some earth- 
works. This bank was held by Reynolds's and Sey- 
mour's brigades of McCall's division under command 
of the first named (afterwards killed at Gettysburg 
while in command of the First Corps), and here, as 
intended, a firm stand was made. The rebel advance 
was now stopped, and as fast as A. P. Hill was reen- 
forced by his other brigades, Reynolds's force was in- 
creased by the other brigade of McCall's division 
commanded by Meade (afterwards commander of 
the Army of the Potomac), and by Martindale's and 
Griffin's brigades of Morell's division. A. P. Hill at- 
tacked heavily with his centre and also tried to turn 
our right flank, and then made a desperate assault 
on our left flank, but he was easily repulsed in every 
attack and with great loss. In this fight he used 
five of his brigades, keeping his sixth in reserve, but 
he also used Ripley's brigade of D. H. Hill's divi- 
sion, which had crossed Mechanicsville Bridge about 
4 p. M. He thus had six brigades actually engaged 
against our five, but he utterly and disastrously 
failed in his attempt to drive back our troops. The 
fighting lasted until 9 p. m. While Branch was push- 
ing on that morning to join A. P. Hill, his brigade 
and part of Jackson's column came by different 
roads within a quarter of a mile of each other, but 



108 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Jackson's men, in fulfilment of Lee's plans, soon 
turned off to the eastward and marched entirely be- 
yond our right flank, passing within a mile of it dur- 
ing the battle, but taking no part in the fight. They 
bivouacked that night with Stuart at Huntley's 
Corner, only three miles away and well in our rear. 
During the evening and night, the remainder of D. 
H. Hill's and all of Longstreet's divisions crossed the 
Chickahominy at Mechanicsville Bridge. This gave 
Lee seventeen brigades in front of our position at 
Beaver Dam Creek, and eleven brigades in rear of 
our right flank, while we had five brigades at Beaver 
Dam and four brigades at Gaines's Mill. 

As far as the battle of the 26th was concerned. 
Porter's troops had an easy victory and were in splen- 
did condition to renew the contest the next day. But 
the reports from our own scouts of a large party of 
Confederates moving around our right flank, con- 
firmed by the stories of natives and deserters, that 
Jackson was coming with fifty thousand men to over- 
whelm the Army of the Potomac, forced a retirement 
to the position at Gaines's Mill, four miles down 
the river. This was begun at daylight of Friday, 
June 27, and skilfully accomplished during the early 
morning, notwithstanding attacks made by the enemy 
during the first two hours for the purpose of ob- 
structing this movement. 

General Stoneman, with our cavalry and two regi- 
ments of infantry from Morell's division, was cut off 
entirely by the advance of D. H. Hill, and was obliged 
to retire to White House. Porter had only the nine 
brigades of the Fifth Corps, less these two regiments, 
to oppose to Lee's twenty-eight brigades, or less than 
one to three. He took a strong position facing nearly 
north on a bluff about ninety feet high, and with 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 109 

both flanks resting on creeks, and with four bridges 
across the Chickahominy in his rear. Sykes's divi- 
sion held the right, Morell the left, and McCall was 
in reserve. 

Here was fought one of the most stubborn and 
creditable battles of the war; and though the line 
was broken late in the day, it was no fault of Porter 
or the troops under him. During these two days 
Lee lost ten thousand two hundred and thirty-five 
in killed and wounded, and Porter four thousand 
two hundred and fifty-seven, with two thousand nine 
hundred and forty-one missing. At such cost the 
victory was dearly bought. 

AFFAIR AT GARNETt's AND GOLDING's 

On the morning of the 28th G. T. Anderson formed 
his brigade for attack, and sent forward the Seventh 
and Eighth Georgia in an assault, expecting sup- 
port from Toombs's brigade. But it did not come, 
so that these two regiments suffered heavily and 
were promptly driven back by the Forty-ninth Penn- 
sylvania of Hancock's brigade and the Thirty-third 
New York of Davidson's. These two regiments were 
still on picket, being the rear guard of the Sixth 
Corps, which was at the time moving back a short 
distance from its old position to the woods in rear, 
in order to avoid the heavy artillery fire from the new 
positions taken by the enemy on Gaines's Hill. The 
Sixth Corps held this new position for the remainder 
of the 28th. 

In the early morning of the 28th the Fourth Corps 
crossed White Oak Swamp, and during the day took 
position covering the Charles City, Newmarket, and 
Quaker roads, thus extending our left towards 
James River. 



110 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

The Fifth Corps had crossed from Gaines's Mill 
to the south side of the Chickahominy by early morn- 
ing of the 28th, and halted in the neighborhood of 
Savage's Station, in rear of the Sixth and Second 
Corps. On the afternoon of the 28th and morning 
of the 29th they also moved across White Oak Swamp 
and took position on the left of the Fourth Corps, 
establishing themselves in a strong position on and 
beyond Malvern Hill, close to the James River, to 
which our trains were sent behind this line of troops. 

On the morning of Saturday, the 28th, the regi- 
ment was ordered out on a working-party. There 
had been a great deal of heavy cannonading, espe- 
cially on the right, and much moving of troops for 
several days, but, so far as we knew, nothing par- 
ticular had happened, so the men went out under 
Captain Macy to the usual work, which on that day 
was the building of a magazine in rear of one of the 
principal redoubts. Suddenly an officer rode up and 
ordered them to stop work and collect the men. They 
were then marched a little to the left and took posi- 
tion, where they were joined by the three field officers 
and the rest of the line officers, who had come out 
from camp for that purpose. Captain Cabot and 
Lieutenants Mason and Curtis were too ill to leave 
camp, and although Lieutenant Tilden came out he 
was so ill that he had to be sent back. These four 
were sent on in ambulances to the James River and 
took no part in these fights. 

At 10 A. M. we were ordered to dig traverses, but 
the ground was too swampy. Soon came wild rumors 
that the right was turned (evidently growing out of 
the insignificant attack at Golding's). The regi- 
ment remained here all day, and at night posted a 
guard and bivouacked on the same spot till 3 a. m. 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 111 

of the next morning, but without interruption by the 
rebels. 

The Confederate right centre, south of the Chicka- 
hominy, which consisted of Magruder's and Huger's 
ten brigades, could accomplish nothing against the 
Second and Sixth Corps, although it made constant 
demonstrations, and was undoubtedly well satisfied 
to be let alone; while Lee with his left wing, consist- 
ing of twenty-eight brigades, was cut off on the north 
side of the river by the destruction of the bridges, 
and so took the whole of the 28th in finding out 
McClellan's plans. For this purpose Ewell's division 
was sent down the left bank as far as Bottom's Bridge, 
while Stuart's cavalry was sent to Despatch Station, 
White House, and the lower bridges over the Chick- 
ahominy, in order to see if we were retreating down 
the peninsula by Long's or Jones's bridges and roads. 
Ewell started back to Grapevine Bridge on the even- 
ing of the 29th, while Stuart was occupied on his 
long scout until after the Battle of Malvern Hill. No 
other movement of Lee's wing was made on the 28th. 
None of these troops succeeded in bridging and cross- 
ing the Chickahominy until late on the 29th, which 
was after our line was extended to the James River. 

These investigations by the rebel cavalry nearly 
caused the capture of the Twentieth's surgeon. Hay- 
ward, who was ordered away from the Turner house 
hospital east of Despatch Station with two hundred 
and fifty men on half an hour's notice. He succeeded 
in saving every one of his patients, although he lost 
everything except the clothes on his back, and he 
gave up his horse for the use of the wagons to carry 
off the wounded and sick. They reached Savage's 
Station that night, and the surgeon rejoined the regi- 
ment the next day. 



112 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

At 3 A. M. of Sunday, June 29, the regiment fell 
in and moved from its bivouac, marching to the 
rear and down the railroad and past our old camp. 
All the troops had gone and the camps were entirely 
deserted, many tents being left behind with quan- 
tities of blankets, boxes, pots, knapsacks, etc. At 
the principal depot at Orchard Station was an im- 
mense amount of stores which were being rapidly 
destroyed; barrels of flour, sugar, coffee, whiskey, 
etc., were knocked in and poured into the mud; cloth- 
ing was cut to pieces, ammunition was thrown into 
a bog near by, and a new rocket battery was then 
being knocked to pieces. A few cavalrymen were 
posted here to give warning of the enemy's approach, 
and a couple of guns on a slight rising ground were 
unlimbered, ready to check the advance of the rebels. 
We marched down the railroad about half a mile 
and came out on an open field on the north of the 
railroad, Allen's farm, where the Federal troops 
were drawn up in line of battle, faced to the west, 
with Richardson's First Division of our corps on 
the right, and our own division on the left with guns 
posted on rising ground. 

The Twentieth was ordered to hold the line of 
woods on the westerly side of Allen's field, some 
six hundred yards in front of the rest of the troops. 
It was formed along the edge of the woods, near its 
old camp at Fair Oaks, and sent out Companies I 
and B as pickets. The Seventy-first Pennsylvania 
(First California) of our Second Brigade took posi- 
tion next on the right, and beyond them the Fifth 
New Hampshire and then the Fifty-third Pennsyl- 
vania. These four regiments formed the advanced 
line of our corps, and were the only troops that had 
any part in this fight. It seems that the Second Corps, 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 113 

together with the Sixth Corps from the right, and 
the Third Corps from the left, had all been ordered 
to fall back and concentrate at Savage's Station; 
but owing to a misunderstanding of orders, or the 
reluctance of that brave old soldier Sumner to re- 
treat from the position at Fair Oaks which he had 
held so long, while the other two had gone on to 
Savage's Station, we had remained nearly three miles 
west of that place and were completely isolated. 
This left a wide gap between our corps and the rest 
of our right wing open in the direction of the Trent 
House and Grapevine Bridge, from which Jackson 
was expected at any moment. 

In about an hour after we had taken our position, 
the rebels came up, and we could hear them cheer- 
ing as they came on and took possession of the de- 
serted works and camps at Fair Oaks. They soon 
came nearer, and before long engaged our pickets. 
The picket firing was at times heavy, and then would 
cease, but all the time the enemy was pressing on in 
increasing numbers while our troops were filing off 
to the rear along the railroad and the Williamsburg 
Road. At last they brought up artillery and shelled 
us, and then advanced and opened heavily with 
musketKv. Our guns replied, throwing their shells 
over our heads. The battle lasted about two hours, 
but finally ceased, as the rebels evidently waited 
until more of their troops should come up. We re- 
mained until all of our troops had left the open field 
and marched on to the rear along the railroad, when 
the order came quietly to draw in the pickets and 
march after them. This was done, and the regiment 
crossed the open field quickly and quietly and marched 
down the railroad. On the easterly edge of the field 
it met and passed another line of troops, a mere picket 



114 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

line, left to give notice in case the enemy should fol- 
low very closely. No alarm was given, and the march 
of some two miles and a half to Savage's Station 
was continued. 

This morning's fight was called the battle of " Allen's 
farm" or the "Peach Orchard," and was really only 
a skirmish of the rear guard, lasting from 9 to 11 
A. M. The Twentieth lost no men, only one or two 
being slightly touched by pieces of shell, and but 
little fighting was done on our side except by the 
Fifty-third and Seventy-first Pennsylvania. The 
Confederate force was G. T. Anderson's brigade in 
the centre, supported on their left by Toombs's 
brigade, both of D. R. Jones's division of Magruder's 
corps. On their right, and opposed to our brigade, 
was Griffith's brigade of Magruder's own division, 
which consisted of four Mississippi regiments, three 
of which, the Thirteenth, Seventeenth, and Eight- 
eenth, had been opposed to the Twentieth at Ball's 
Bluff. General Griffith was mortally wounded in 
this attack and was succeeded by Colonel Barks- 
dale of the Thirteenth Mississippi. Cobb's brigade 
was in support of Griffith, although it was not 
engaged. On the south of the railroad were the 
remaining two brigades of Magruder's cofps, Ker- 
shaw's and Semmes's. On the discovery of our first 
stand, at Allen's farm, Magruder sent for reenforce- 
ments from Huger's corps, which had already started 
down the Charles City Road on the other side of 
White Oak Swamp. Two brigades were immediately 
sent back by Huger, but did not take part in this 
fight. 

During the morning Sumner was informed by 
Franklin that the rebels were repairing Grapevine 
Bridge and advancing in large force towards Sav- 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 115 

age's Station. He accordingly retired from Allen's 
farm as soon as he had driven back the attacks of 
Magruder's troops, and took command of the forces 
at Savage's. As Slocum's division of the Sixth Corps 
had already been sent on to cross White Oak Bridge, 
Smith's division was the only part of that corps then re- 
maining at Savage's. The entire Third Corps should 
have been there also, but Heintzelman, with this corps, 
started on the move to the James without notifying 
Sumner and contrary to his explicit orders, leaving 
Sumner with only his Second Corps and Smith's 
division of the Sixth, nine brigades in all, to hold 
Magruder's six brigades, which were already press- 
ing him, Huger's two brigades coming up on their 
right and the entire rebel left wing of twenty-seven 
brigades, the head of which might appear on our 
right flank and rear at any moment. Fortunately 
for us, Jackson was delayed at Grapevine Bridge 
and did not get up till that evening, which spoiled 
that part of Magruder's plans, and Lee, before this 
battle opened, ordered off Huger's troops to the south- 
ward to carry out their original plan of heading us 
off at White Oak Bridge. The impetuous Magru- 
der, who was stretching out his left wing to wel- 
come Jackson, was therefore easily and thoroughly 
beaten on his right by part of Sedgwick's division, 
assisted somewhat by Brooks's brigade of the Sixth 
Corps. But if Heintzelman had remained, we should 
probably have entirely overwhelmed this corps of 
the rebel army, which was even more completely 
isolated from support than we were. 

It was an intensely hot day, and the men suffered 
terribly on the march from Allen's, many were sun- 
struck, and almost all of them threw away their blan- 
kets and knapsacks. After a while we reached Sav- 



116 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

age's Station, where there was an immense open field 
through which the railroad ran, on the southern side 
of which our corps was again forming in line of battle 
on some quite high ground. On the northern side 
of the railroad was a fine house, shaded by large 
trees, and a little in rear of it were about fifty wall 
tents placed in regular order, in which were a large 
number of sick and wounded who had been left with 
suitable attendants because there was no opportun- 
ity to remove them. Soon after the regiment reached 
this field a large number of cars filled with ammuni- 
tion were set on fire and blown up. It was a grand 
sight — a tremendous column of smoke forced high 
into the air, like an immense white balloon! 

When we arrived we were drawn up in line facing 
north toward the railroad and the large house, with 
our left on quite rising ground. Here we remained 
until four o'clock, eating our dinner in the mean 
time. At this time Kershaw's brigade of four South 
Carolina regiments and a battery appeared, stretch- 
ing from the railroad across the Williamsburg Road 
on the westerly side of this great field, nearly a mile 
off, but in a direction which we had supposed was 
held by the Third Corps, for it was not until after- 
wards that we learned that Heintzelman had moved 
away without giving Sumner notice, leaving us ex- 
posed to this unexpected attack. Kershaw immediately 
opened on us with his artillery, and our two left com- 
panies, being on high ground, were much exposed 
and lost several wounded. Our regiment was im- 
mediately marched by the right flank to its second 
position facing west, where our two right companies 
got the position on the hill and so caught the shelling. 
General Burns of our division was at the same time 
sent forward with the Seventy-second and One Hun- 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 117 

dred and Sixth Pennsylvania of his brigade, and 
formed Hne, stretching from the railroad toward the 
Williamsburg Road. Here he stopped the advancing 
infantry of Kershaw, and quite a sharp fight ensued 
at this point. The First Minnesota of Gorman's 
brigade was sent to Burns and formed across the 
Williamsburg Road with its left refused, but our 
three regiments were overlapped on our left by Ker- 
shaw's fourth regiment, the Eighth South Carolina. 
Our men, however, maintained their ground. Ker- 
shaw was reenforced by the Seventeenth and Twenty- 
first Mississippi from Barksdale's brigade, next on 
his left beyond the railroad, while Burns's line was 
relieved by the Eighty-eighth New York of Meagher's 
brigade of our First Division, the Eighty-second 
New York, and Fifteenth Massachusetts of Gorham's 
brigade and the Twentieth Massachusetts, which 
advanced through and beyond our first line and 
drove back the rebels and won the battle. A little 
fighting was done on the rebel side by Semmes's 
brigade, which came up with three regiments in line 
and three in reserve in extension of Kershaw's right 
flank, but were driven back by Brooks's brigade of 
the Sixth Corps, which had been sent to prolong our 
line to the left. The Sixty-ninth and Seventy-first 
Pennsylvania of Burns's and the Seventh Michigan 
of our brigade were ordered forward, but too late 
to participate in the fight. The same is true of the 
other two regiments of Barksdale's brigade, the 
Thirteenth and Eighteenth Mississippi. No other 
troops on either side were engaged in this brisk little 
battle, which lasted from 4 till 7 p. m. 

The rebel General Huger had brought up Ran- 
som's and Wright's brigades to the assistance of 
Magruder, but arrived too late for the fight at Allen's 



118 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

farm. He left, in fulfilment of his original orders, 
before the battle of Savage's Station. 

A heavy thunderstorm rolled up just as our in- 
fantry was becoming engaged in the beginning of 
the battle, and added much to the grandeur of the 
scene as it appeared in full view from our position 
on the hill. 

After dark we were left in our position on the front 
line in the edge of the woods, with the Seventh Michi- 
gan on our right across the railroad, and the Fifteenth 
Massachusetts on our left. We sent Companies A 
and K, both under Captain Tremlett, out in front 
as pickets, and our two neighbors on the right and 
left did the same, while the other regiments were 
drawn back and started for White Oak Bridge. 
Soon a heavy squall came up, accompanied by a tor- 
rent of rain. Part of the field was lighted up by the 
remains of the still burning cars, but the wood was 
very dark. It was full of dead and wounded rebels, 
all South Carolinians, many groaning and begging 
for assistance. We helped as many as we could, and 
our pickets reported that they could hear the rebels 
coming out and taking them off, which shows how 
near we were. 

At about 11 p. M. Captain Tremlett, who had been 
out groping about in the pitchy darkness to see where 
we were, and what was going on, came back and re- 
ported that our regiment and all others had gone en- 
tirely, and that he could find nothing of the Seventh 
Regiment pickets on our right, and yet no orders 
had come for us to retire. He accordingly sent out 
a sergeant to explore. In the mean time an order to 
draw in our men was quietly passed down the line, 
and while we were executing this delicate operation, 
a volley of musketry was heard from the opposite 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 119 

side of the railroad. We found that the Seventh 
Michigan pickets had been called in, and our ser- 
geant had been fired on by the advancing pickets of 
the enemy. The two companies then fell in silently 
and marched across the open field obliquely to the 
left, plowing through the deep mud, and constantly 
running against stumps and trees in the darkness, 
which was scarcely lessened by the weird light of 
the still burning supplies. They at last reached the 
Williamsburg Road, and followed it up until they 
came to the road leading off to the right toward White 
Oak Bridge; they then turned down this road and 
finally caught up with the regiment at about 3 a. m. 
of the 30th. It was a most dangerous and disagree- 
able duty that fell to the lot of these two companies, 
for they were the very last of the rear guard of the 
army, and were liable at any moment to be attacked 
and overwhelmed or cut off and captured. Our picket 
post in the pitch-black woods on the field of battle 
was gruesome in the extreme, and it was followed 
by a most disagreeable and fatiguing all-night march. 

BATTLE OF GLENDALE 

Our whole division halted at daybreak of June 
30 after crossing White Oak Bridge, and at about 
6 A. M. we marched on again to Glendale, where 
we halted on the Quaker Road in rear of McCall's 
division of the Fifth Corps. 

The army was posted that morning in the follow- 
ing order from right to left: Smith's division of 
the Sixth Corps on the extreme right; next Richard- 
son's division of our corps, with Naglee's brigade 
of the Fourth Corps joining him on his left, — all 
under Franklin, — defending the crossing. White 
Oak Bridge having been destroyed at ten o'clock 



120 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

that morning by French's brigade of the rear guard. 
Next was Slocum's division of the Sixth Corps, 
guarding the crossing at Brackett's, where the bridge 
had also been destroyed, and stretching to the left 
as far as the Charles City Road. Then came Kearney 
of the Third Corps, covering the interval nearly to the 
Newmarket Road, and on his left was McCall of the 
Fifth Corps squarely across the Newmarket Road. 
Behind McCall's left jflank and along the Quaker 
Road was Sedgwick's division of the Second Corps, 
and on the left in the woods in front of the Quaker 
Road was Hooker of the Third Corps. Next came 
Couch's division, supported by Wessell's brigade, 
both of the Fourth Corps; and on the extreme left 
the other two divisions of the Fifth Corps. McClellan 
thus had a continuous line from White Oak Swamp 
to Malvern Hill and James River, where the gunboats 
protected the left flank. 

Jackson, in command of his own division and that 
of D. H. Hill, having finally succeeded in rebuild- 
ing Grapevine Bridge by the evening of the 29th, 
crossed the Chickahominy during that night, and 
then pushed on via Savage's Station over the route 
just taken by us east of White Oak Swamp, reaching 
White Oak Bridge about noon of the 30th, some two 
hours after our rear guard had crossed and destroyed 
the bridge. 

Huger, from the Confederate right centre, having 
found our works in front of Fair Oaks abandoned 
at sunrise of the 29th, immediately started his four 
brigades (including Ransom's of Holmes's division) 
down the Charles City Road on the west side of 
White Oak Swamp, to take care of their right flank 
and head off our movement to the James River. 
These four brigades moved down the Charles City 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 121 

Road and another road nearer White Oak Swamp, 
examining the fords and crossings and keeping watch 
over the movements of Kearney on the other side 
of the swamp. He, however, outwitted them and 
crossed the swamp while they took position on the 
30th on Jackson's right, with one brigade north of 
White Oak Swamp, connecting with Jackson, and 
three brigades south. 

Longstreet's division, followed by A. P. Hill's, 
each containing six brigades, all under command of 
Longstreet, crossed the Chickahominy at New Bridge 
on the morning of the 29th, and took the Central 
Road on the west side of White Oak Swamp to 
support Huger on his right in the endeavor to inter- 
cept our movement to the James. By forced marches 
they arrived at noon of the 30th in the vicinity of 
McCall's position. President Davis and General Lee 
joined this column that day to see our army cut in 
two and overwhelmed, for they supposed that at 
Gaines's Mill they had defeated the greater part of 
it and that it was thoroughly demoralized and could 
now be annihilated. 

Magruder remained at Savage's Station until the 
arrival there of Jackson in the early morning of the 
30th, when he was ordered to take the Central Road 
and join in the flanking movement. He, however, 
started so late and had so far to go that at 2 p. m. 
he had arrived only within four miles and a half of 
the field of battle, where he remained until 4.30 p. m. 
waiting for orders. 

Holmes crossed from Drury's Bluff on the after- 
noon of the 27th with Daniels's brigade, and on the 
same evening was rejoined by Walker's large brigade 
recalled from Huger. With this division he reached 
and formed line at Newmarket at 10 a. m. of the 30th, 



1^23 THE TWF.XTIETII :\L\SSACHUSETTS 

where he was joined bv llenrv A. Wise's brigade, 
which had just come from Chathn's Bhitf. 

The Confederate phni was that Longstreet shouUl 
make the principal assanU on their right centre with 
his own six brigades, whih^ Huger shouhi attack on 
their U-'ft centre ^^'ith fonr brigades, and Jackson 
shouhi break through our rear with fourteen brigades. 
A. P. Hill vri\\\ six brigades was to be kept fresh to 
throw upon our army after it should have been broken 
up by these combined attacks, while Magruder with 
six brigades should come up in support of A. P. Hill, 
and Holmes should be ready to fall upon us as we 
should retreat toward the James. These dilferent 
and separated columns all reached their appointed 
positions by noon of the oOth. except Magruder, 
who was too far otl' to join either the main battle 
on their right centre or the little attempt on their 
extreme right. 

At 1.4o F. M. Jackson, having put seven batteries 
in position on a hill just north of ^Yhite Oak Bridge, 
which was concealed from our sight by woods, opened 
a furious cannonade from all these guns on Richard- 
son's division of our corps, which held the centre 
of Franklin's force defending the crossing. Our 
brigade i^Dana's") and Gorman's (^uuder Sully) of our 
division were immediately sent from our position 
on the Quaker Road to support Richardson. General 
Dana took command of these brigades, putting Colo- 
nel Lee in command of our brigade. We hurried 
over in obedience to this summons, part of the time 
at double-quick, but iifter getting there were put 
into the rear as support to Richardson's right, and 
stayed there about two hours doing nothing. But 
Jackson found it impossible to force the crossing or 
to put over any troops but a few infantry, so that 



THE SE\^X DAYS' BATTLES 123 

this attack resulted in nothing but an artillery duel, 
which lasted till midnight, when our troops under 
Franklin resumed their march to the James River. 

^\^lile Jackson was opening on the rear, Long- 
street moved forward his own division of six bri- 
gades and formed them in line for his assault down 
the Newmarket Road. Having done this he waited 
for Huger. About 2 p. m. Huger's leading brigade 
(Mahone's) appeared in the Charles City Road in 
front of Slocum, but was easily driven back by our 
artiller}', which kept up its fire until nearly dark. 
No infantry was engaged on either side, and our loss 
was very slight, although Mahone reports a severe 
loss. 

Now turn to the third supporting attack of the 
Confederates, the one on their extreme right. Holmes 
and Wise moved forward from Newmarket about 
4 p. M. on the information that our troops were re- 
treating down the Quaker Road towards Malvern 
Hill. They opened fire about .5 p. m. with six guns 
on Warren's brigade of the Fifth Corps, but were so 
completely knocked to pieces by the concentrated 
fire of thirty guns and our infantry' that they quickly 
ran in panic. This little affair is called the fight of 
Turkey Bridge or Malvern Cliff. Magruder, who 
had remained some distance behind Longstreet from 
2 to 4.30 p. M., was then ordered to the assistance 
of Holmes, but was too late for any part in that fight 
either. Thus we see that all three of these separate 
attacks were easily repulsed. 

GLEXDALE 

We will return now to the main attack, which was 
actually a fierce and bloody battle. 

Longstreet formed his own division (now under 



124 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

R. H. Anderson) as follows: Anderson's brigade 
(under Colonel Jenkins) across Newmarket Road, 
with two regiments on each side, Kemper's on the 
right flank with Pickett's in support, Wilcox's on 
the left of Jenkins and Pryor's on the left flank sup- 
ported by Featherston. A. P. Hill's six brigades 
were in close column on the road in the rear ready 
for use if required, and every one of them was put in 
before this fiercely fought battle was over. 

This attack chanced to fall principally upon Mc- 
Call's division, which had had the hardest fighting 
of our army, having been heavily engaged at Me- 
chanicsville and Gaines's Mill. It was besides sep- 
arated from the othe two divisions of its corps. In 
fact, not a single corps in the Army of the Potomac 
was consolidated on this day, and the commanding 
general was not on the field, so that the battle was 
fought without a head on our side, but simply and 
independently by the good judgment of corps and 
division commanders. 

McCall sent out the First Pennsylvania of Rey- 
nolds's and Third Pennsylvania of Meade's brigade 
as pickets and waited the approach of the enemy. 
Longstreet, having formed his line, waited to hear 
from Jackson or Huger of their readiness to cooper- 
ate. 

About 2 p. M. Huger appeared on the Charles City 
Road on Longstreet's left, and soon the artillery 
duel between him and Slocum opened, which was 
all that that demonstration amounted to. Longstreet, 
hearing these guns, began his movement by send- 
ing forward two regiments of Jenkins's brigade as 
skirmishers against McCall's right and left centre. 
They quickly drove in the First and Third Penn- 
sylvania, the latter of whom in falling back on our 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 125 

right was fired upon by our men and so broken up 
that it took no further part in the battle. 

About three o'clock Longstreet opened with his 
artillery, to which we replied. This continued for an 
hour with no effect, as the woods hid the combatants 
from each other. 

At four o'clock Kemper's brigade on the Con- 
federate right flank moved forward alone through 
dense woods and a swamp and over very rough 
ground, and finally appeared on the further edge of 
the open field, about eighty yards in front of Sey- 
mour's left. The Twelfth Pennsylvania had thrown 
up a little breastwork in Whitlock's garden, and 
with the Tenth Pennsylvania supported the eight 
guns of Knieriem and Diedericks from the Reserve 
Artillery. To their assistance the Second and Eighth 
Pennsylvania had been sent from Reynolds's brigade 
on the first notice of this charge, and they arrived 
just in time. On came Kemper at double-quick, 
although received by a terrible storm from our in- 
fantry and our two batteries in front and from Coop- 
er's on his left flank. But the Twelfth Pennsylvania 
very soon broke, and they and the greater part of 
these two batteries rushed pell-mell down the road. 
The other troops made a longer stand, but were soon 
driven back, and Kemper occupied McCall's left 
and some of his guns temporarily. But he was almost 
immediately driven back and the position recap- 
tured by Burns's brigade, the only one of our divi- 
sion that had not been sent off to White Oak Bridge, 
assisted by part of Grover's brigade of Hooker's 
division. The principal fighting here was done by 
the Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania of Burns's and the 
Sixteenth Massachusetts of Grover's brigades and by 
Kirby's battery of our division. Kemper's brigade 



126 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

was completely broken up and scattered and took no 
further part in the battle. 

As he was driven back, another attack was made 
by the rebels on their right and right centre. This 
force was Pickett's brigade on their extreme right, 
Jenkins's (R. H. Anderson's) on their left, with his 
left resting on Newmarket Road, and in their centre. 
Branch's, the first of A. P. Hill's supporting column 
to be sent in. Pickett appears to have got up to 
Seymour's old position on our left at Whitelock's 
and to have there captured two of Knieriem's guns, 
which he afterwards turned on us, but he was held 
there by Grover and Burns and Kirby, although 
they never succeeded in driving him back. Branch 
halted on the edge of the woods and did not advance 
into the open field at all. Jenkins next the road made 
a gallant charge in which he lost over half his men, 
and succeeded in capturing Cooper's battery and 
driving off its infantry supports, who resisted well, 
but finally went streaming to the rear, followed by 
the pursuing rebels. Most unfortunately Kerns's four 
guns had by this time exhausted their ammunition 
and had to be withdrawn, because by somebody's 
stupidity their caissons had previously been ordered 
to the rear and could not now be found. Just at this 
moment the heads of Dana's and Gorman's brigades, 
hastily summoned from White Oak Bridge, began 
to appear on the Quaker Road, exhausted and breath- 
less from double-quicking most of the way in the 
intense heat. Without a pause the leading regiment, 
the Twentieth Massachusetts, which was hurrying 
on left in front, was faced to the "right into line" 
of battle by General Sumner's orders and pushed 
straight forward across the open field, with the gal- 
lant old Sumner at their head, through our retreat- 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 127 

ing troops and under a tremendous fire of artillery 
and musketry by which we lost dreadfully. It was 
here that Lieutenant Lowell "was mortally wounded. 
As we approached the woods we halted and dressed, 
and were then joined by the second regiment of our 
brigade, the Seventh Michigan, which now came up 
on our left, and we were then ordered to open fire. 
After a few rounds we were again ordered forward 
a few paces, and the operation was again repeated, 
only here we fired for some time. At this point the 
third regiment, the Forty-second New York, came up 
on the left of the Seventh Michigan. Then we were 
ordered to fire to the left obliquely and then to cease 
firing. Then all three regiments under command 
of Colonel Lee advanced through the woods in front, 
where they were momentarily sheltered from the 
fire, and came out into an open field, where the right 
of Seymour's original line (McCall's centre) had been. 
Here we found four guns of an abandoned battery, 
evidently the right of Cooper's, with three guns 
pointing to the front and one towards our left, and 
with dead and wounded from both armies lying 
thickly around. The enemy, Jenkins's brigade, fell 
back into and across the open field as our line ad- 
vanced, but their fire was very severe for some time. 
The Seventh Michigan and Forty-second New York 
had no sooner emerged from the woods than they 
were obliged to shift their position on account of a 
flank fire, leaving the Twentieth, some two hundred 
and fifty men, entirely alone out in the open in front 
of the recaptured battery. As the three regiments had 
advanced further than our second line, marked by the 
Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania on the left and the Seventy- 
second Pennsylvania on the right in the woods, 
which had been hurriedly led there by Burns to as- 



128 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

sist Seymour's right, between which two regiments 
we had moved, there were none of our troops in the 
line with us either on our right or left, and behind 
us, as far as we knew, were only the remnants of Mc- 
Call's broken regiments, whom their officers were try- 
ing to rally. We had come into a strange place at the 
end of a two-mile run, — as a new link in a broken 
line of battle, — but the two ends which we were to 
connect were not within sight or reach. We stayed 
here for twenty minutes or half an hour, delivering 
and receiving a heavy fire and losing many men. 
The pressure upon us from both flanks as well as front 
was so great, that Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey half- 
wheeled Company I on the right and Company B 
on the left to the rear. During this time no other 
troops joined us and no commands came to us, and 
there is good reason to suppose that our position 
was not known to any superior officer. The danger 
of capture becoming imminent in our isolated posi- 
tion, Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey gave the order: 
"About face! Forward, march!" and withdrew the 
regiment to the edge of the woods in our rear, and 
reformed the line. Here we were joined by a few, 
very few, brave men, — several colonels, among 
them Colonel Roberts of the First Pennsylvania, 
two or three sets of colors with a few of the best men 
who stayed by them, but mere handfuls, — which 
formed on either flank. 

When our line drove Jenkins back, a second line 
was formed in the rear on line with, and on the left 
of, the Seventy-second Pennsylvania. This consisted 
of the Seventy-first Pennsylvania, which had been sup- 
porting Kirby's battery in front of the Quaker Road 
on the left of our division, and which now formed the 
left of this second line in the woods, where it was 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 129 

joined on its right by the Nineteenth Massachusetts 
as they came back from White Oak Bridge; next 
came the Fifteenth Massachusetts; and on the right 
of the Seventy-second Pennsylvania were placed the 
Eighty-second and Thirty-fourth New York as they 
came up. When the Seventh Michigan and Forty- 
second New York retired and we were alone, the 
Nineteenth Massachusetts and Seventy-first Pennsyl- 
vania were thrown into the breach from the second 
line. As we were all in the woods, we did not know 
of their presence nor of that of our second line, de- 
scribed above, and none of them knew where we 
were. The First Minnesota was the last of Sedg- 
wick's division to get back from the White Oak 
Bridge, and was sent in to support the Nineteenth 
Massachusetts and Seventy-first Pennsylvania, when 
those regiments were sent into the front line. 

As soon as Jenkins was driven back, Wilcox and 
Pryor, who were about being extended to the left 
in order to reach Huger, were ordered to attack di- 
rectly in front. Wilcox was immediately formed with 
two regiments on each side of the Newmarket Road, 
— on his left was Pryor with Featherston in support, 
who later came up into the front line still further to 
the left. They moved forward about six o'clock, and 
finally charged most furiously and gallantly. The 
Eighth Alabama, Wilcox's regiment, next to the road 
and on their left of it, kept on, made a magnificent 
and desperate charge in solid mass, and captured 
Randol's battery, driving off the Fourth Pennsyl- 
vania that supported it. The Ninth and Tenth Ala- 
bama on Wilcox's right charged up in front of our 
position a few moments later and took Cooper's guns, 
which we had been obliged to abandon from want of 
support, and could not withdraw because the horses 



130 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

had been killed. These guns they turned on us, but 
could advance no further. Our division held the posi- 
tions designated above until midnight without yielding 
a foot of ground, but we received and delivered a most 
severe and murderous fire for an hour and a half. 
Our muskets got so heated from the rapid firing 
that the men could be seen setting their ramrods 
against trees in order to force their charges into the 
heated barrels. Finally about sunset the rebel troops 
in front of us were withdrawn and the battle ceased 
on our part of the line. 

Featherston came up on Pryor's left, but he was 
soon wounded and his brigade driven back. His 
place was then taken by Gregg of A. P. Hill's divi- 
sion, who extended so far to the left that only his 
right regiment, the Fourteenth South Carolina, had 
any fighting. In the mean time, Wilcox's Ninth and 
Tenth Alabama had been driven back by our divi- 
sion, and his force north of the road soon followed, in 
both places abandoning the captured batteries. Pryor 
held on longer, but was unable to break our line, 
and was terribly punished by Thompson's battery 
and Robinson's brigade, supported by two regiments 
of Berry's division, and was finally repulsed also. 

All six of Longstreet's brigades had now been put 
in, and all had been driven back except Pickett, who 
still held his captured position on their extreme right. 
In addition. Branch, of A. P. Hill's division, had been 
used up while Gregg was guarding their left flank. 
Only four brigades of A. P. Hill's division were left of 
that force which had so confidently proposed to cut 
in two our army and capture the greater part of it. 
It was already evening when Field's brigade was 
formed for the final assault. He also placed two regi- 
ments on each side of the road, the Fifty-fifth and 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 131 

Sixtieth Virginia on the south, and the Forty-seventh 
Virginia and Second Virginia battalion on the north, 
having previously sent the Fortieth Virginia to protect 
Pickett's right flank. Archer was also sent to support 
Pickett, but did nothing there. Field was supported 
by J. R. Anderson on the left and Pender on the right. 
It was so dark that friends could not be distinguished 
from foes, and neither side could tell who was in 
front of them nor what was being done, and con- 
sequently the reports, confused at the time, cannot 
be clearly unravelled now. Field's probably was the 
force that finally drew off both Randol's and Cooper's 
guns, but he never got beyond those positions, al- 
though he was able to hold them. His fighting, how- 
ever, was to the right of the position held by the 
Twentieth. To Field's Forty-seventh Virginia be- 
longs the credit of capturing General McCall when 
he was making a final effort in the darkness to 
gather a force for another fight for Randol's guns. 
J. R. Anderson was badly broken up by the fire of 
what apparently was Barlow's Sixty-first New York, 
and "laid down" and did nothing more. Pender 
does not seem to have advanced very far, and did 
not actually get into the fight. He probably halted 
in the woods in front of our regiment and out of our 
sight. 

In this part of the battle Robinson's brigade was 
heavily engaged (less one regiment), assisted by 
three brigades of Berry's division, also by Taylor's 
brigade of Slocum's division, and by the two regi- 
ments of Caldwell's brigade of our corps (his other 
two regiments firing only one volley). 

The Confederate attempts to break through our 
columns had been completely foiled, most disas- 
trously for them; and at midnight our troops drew 



132 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

out from their positions and continued the inter- 
rupted march down the Quaker Road. 

BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL 

About 4 A. M. of July 1 the Twentieth reached 
its new position on Malvern Hill, where the reunited 
Army of the Potomac was forming for the last of 
its battles in this short campaign. It was a magnifi- 
cent sight that met the eyes as it grew light. The 
regiment was in a beautiful clover-field near a house 
on this elevated plateau overlooking an immense open 
tract of country, broken by hills and some fine pieces 
of woodland, and with several good houses in sight. 
Our troops were in full view, gradually taking up their 
positions on the edge of the hill, while looking to the 
north beyond a near ravine was another open place 
bounded by dense forests. As soon as the regiment 
arrived, bedraggled and exhausted, rations were sup- 
plied by its ever- watchful and devoted quartermaster, 
who had in fact started back to Glendale the preceding 
day for this purpose, but had been refused permis- 
sion. Here the men got some much needed rest, 
staying in this spot about five hours, during the latter 
part of which time black masses of the enemy could 
be distinctly seen emerging from the woods and tak- 
ing position in the open ground beyond the ravine, 
in support of several batteries which advanced and 
opened fire. This must have been Whiting's divi- 
sion of Jackson's corps. 

On the previous evening Magruder's corps had 
been recalled to Glendale by Lee to relieve Long- 
street and A. P. Hill, arriving after the close of the 
battle. He moved forward on the morning of July 1 
up the Newmarket Road to the positions which we 
had abandoned at midnight, and continuing on 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 133 

soon met Wliiting's division, the head of Jackson's 
force, marching down the Quaker Road from White 
Oak Bridge. Magruder halted and Whiting kept on 
in column, with a regiment of Texas cavalry at his 
head, until they came within range of one of our 
batteries on Malvern Hill, which immediately opened, 
and with its first discharge scattered the cavalry 
regiment. Whiting then formed line of battle on 
the left (east) of the road, while the next division, 
D. H. Hill's, formed on the right (west), and Staf- 
ford's brigade of Ewell's division was in full view 
as it crossed from the Quaker Road to the woods, 
and his left brigade was roughly handled, while its 
commander. General G. B. Anderson, was wounded, 
by our artillery alone. 

After D. H. Hill's division was formed on the west 
of the Quaker Road, Armistead's and Wright's bri- 
gades of Huger's division moved up from the Charles 
City Road and formed on Hill's right. Then Magru- 
der began to arrive by a road west of the Quaker 
Road, and formed his division and Huger's other two 
brigades, a portion still further on the right of D. H. 
Hill and the rest in support of them. Holmes came 
down the river road from Newmarket to the extreme 
right of the Confederates, but with him "discretion 
was the better part of valor," for a reconnoissance 
of our strong position, with a recollection of his mis- 
fortune on the day before, satisfied him that he could 
not take it, so he restrained his ardor and saved himself 
another disaster. Longstreet and A. P. Hill had had 
a very full meal of fighting at Glendale, and were 
not inclined or expected to make any further exer- 
tion in this battle, so they contentedly kept quiet 
in reserve behind Jackson, entirely out of sight and 
sound for this entire day. 



134 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

About 9 A. M. Whiting's first battery got into po- 
sition and opened on our line, but was almost imme- 
diately "knocked out," and forced to retire. He soon 
got up three other batteries which fired until their 
ammunition was exhausted. The Twentieth received 
part of the fire of these batteries, some of their shell 
falling very close, but nobody was hit, although some 
of its neighbors had harder luck. Our position was 
changed several times in order to protect the men 
from this galling artillery fire, and finally, as we had 
nothing to do, the whole corps was moved behind 
a hill into the woods for shelter. As the rebel line of 
battle across the Quaker Road began to look threat- 
ening in the early afternoon, we were ordered out 
again from the woods to our former position, but 
Whiting's infantry made no advance, so we were 
soon sent back again. In fact, with the exception of 
artillery firing, nothing was done by the rebels on the 
east side of the Quaker Road, although some of 
the troops in their second line were afterwards sent 
to D. H. Hill's assistance, but failed to reach him in 
time for the fight. 

In the mean time Magruder had formed his own 
and Huger's divisions on the right of D. H. Hill. 
Armistead in the centre was expected to lead the 
assault with a yell which was to be the signal for the 
others to join in the charge. About three o'clock 
D. H. Hill heard what he thought was the agreed 
upon yell, and moved forward, bjut he went alone. 
He made a gallant charge, but was driven back with 
terrible slaughter by Morell and Couch, and the 
concentrated artillery fire. It was about 4.30 p. m. 
that Armistead and Wright made the second charge, 
which was directed to the right of Hill's point of at- 
tack, followed later by the remaining brigades ^f 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 135 

Huger and Magruder. Their assaults were gallant 
and desperate, but made absolutely no impression on 
the lines held by Morell and Couch, to whose sup- 
port were sent first Caldwell's brigade of our first 
division, then Sickles's of Hooker's division, and later 
Meagher's, also of our first division. Two of Sykes's 
brigades were moved to the right to the support of 
Morell, but did not get into the action. 

Fifteen brigades of the enemy took part in these 
daring assaults, but they were absolutely foiled in 
their attempts, and driven back in the greatest dis- 
order and demoralization from our magnificent po- 
sition, which was held by only nine brigades, as- 
sisted, however, by an unusually heavy support of 
artillery. The battle lasted until nine in the evening, 
and left us in undisturbed possession of our original 
line. 

Thus ended the "Seven Days." They began with 
McClellan's long promised advance, which carried 
him to within four miles of Richmond, but which 
was nipped in the bud and warded off by the bold 
and skilful flank attack on the Fifth Corps, which 
threw McClellan on the defensive. He in turn de- 
ceived Lee and upset his plans by making a sudden 
change of base and transferring his army to a strongly 
defended position. 

The Twentieth remained where it was after the 
battle and slept quietly until about two o'clock of 
the following morning, when it again started, and 
marched about ten miles down the river in a heavy 
rainstorm, and encamped twelve hours later with 
the rest of the army at Harrison's Landing. 

The Seven Days' Battles were now ended, in which 
the Union Army lost 1734 killed, 8062 wounded, and 
6053 missing, making a total of 15,849. The Con- 



136 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

federates were the greater sufferers ; killed, 3478, 
wounded, 16,261, and prisoners 875, total 20,614. 
The casualties of the Twentieth were as follows: 

Field and Staff. Wounded: Colonel William R. Lee; Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Francis W. Palfrey. 

Band. Killed: George S. Reiser. 

Company A. Wounded : Sergeant James Ford ; Privates Alfred 
L. Bishop, George F. Cate, Daniel C. Lane, James H. Noble, 
William Ryder. 

Company B. Wounded: Sergeant Balthazar Wagner; Cor- 
poral Christian Buettinger; Privates Christian Wagner, 
Charles Arnold, Joseph Pabst, Juhus Boehune, William 
Frank, Charles Haas, John Hanifer, Gustave Kawell, Fred- 
erick Kleeberg, Conrad Seibel. Captured: Privates Adolph 
Asher, Pliilip Gilbert. 

Company C. Killed : Sergeant Joseph Wolf. Wounded : Pri- 
vates Werner Hahn, Gotfried Spicer, Henry Vogel. 

Company D. Wounded : Captain Norwood P. Hallowell ; Cor- 
poral Charles J. Curtis; Privates John J. O'Connell, Rich- 
ard Duffin. Missing: Privates Alexander McKinley, Francis 
A. Wheeler. 

Company E. Killed: First Lieutenant James J. Lowell; Pri- 
vates Edward C. Gleason, John McGowan. Wounded: Sec- 
ond Lieutenant Henry L. Patten; Privates Joseph F. Bent, 
John Mclntire, John W. G. Smith. 

Company F. Wounded: First Lieutenant August Miiller; 
Sergeant Bernard McGuire; Corporal John Powers; Pri- 
vates James DeForrest, Patrick McCarty. 

Company G. Killed: Private David Root. Wounded: Ser- 
geant Thomas M. McKay; Corporals Fred S. Allen, WilUam 
A. Johnston; Privates Wilham Casey, Ezra D. Chace, John 
Goodman, George Lawson, James Madigan; Drummer 
Joseph Lovejoy. Captured: Private Hiram Wliiting. 

Company H. Killed: Privates Robert Grieve, James Lynch. 
Wounded: Privates Josiah Armington, George Babcock, 



THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES 137 

John C. Ford, Samuel H. Gordon, John R. Johnson, Neal 
McCafferty, James McKenna, CorneUus Monahan, John M. 
Stearns; Drummer John Stevens. Missing: Sergeant George 
White; Private George H. Carroll. 

Company I. Killed : Privates Richard Brooks, Jared M. Hunter. 
Wounded: First Lieutenant Henry L. Abbott; Sergeant 
Andrew J. Bate; Corporals E. G. W. Cartwright, John W. 
Summerhays; Privates John Daisy, Charles F. Goodwin, 
James A. Bucknam, Francis McNamara. 

Company K. Killed: First Sergeant Alfred L. Holmes; Ser- 
geant Theodore Compass ; Corporal Isaac M. Sampson ; Pri- 
vate Patrick Cronan. Wounded: Sergeant Patrick J. Cam- 
pion ; Privates Charles W. Bartlett, James W. Bryant, George 
A. Hastings, John Hinds, George W. Kehr, Chester A. Leon- 
ard, Joseph H. Parker, Samuel Tucker. Missing: Private 
Lansford Bowman. 



CHAPTER VI 

FROM Harrison's landing to the antietam 

The first camping-place of the Twentieth at Harri- 
son's Landing was close to the river, where it re- 
mained in the rain and mud, suffering greatly, until 
the Fourth of July. The stragglers gradually joined, 
and there were soon about three hundred men with 
the colors and (perhaps) ten company officers . Com- 
panies E and G were temporarily consolidated, and 
Company I was joined with the part of Company D 
that was present, the remainder of this company, 
about twenty men, having for months been detailed 
under Lieutenant Messer as a special guard for the 
balloon at the corps headquarters, where they had 
had no fighting. 

From the 4th to the 11th of July the heat was 
intense, but the camp was very pleasantly situated 
on high land with a sandy soil, having a little brook 
close by and a large pond for bathing within a short 
distance; and as the officers had the luxury of wall 
tents, while onions, lemons, and other anti-scorbutics 
were plenty, we got along very well and with little 
sickness. Heavy fortifications were thrown up, and 
all settled down for an apparently long stay. 

As a new call for three hundred thousand men had 
been made by the President, General Dana recom- 
mended to Governor Andrew both Major Revere 
and Adjutant Peirson as "eminently fitted by ex- 
perience and capacity for the command of a regi- 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 139 

ment." His letter was endorsed *'very favorably" 
by Generals Sedgwick, Sumner, and McClellan. 
On the 8th of July President Lincoln visited the 
camp, and General Sedgwick held an inspection of 
the division the following afternoon. On the 11th the 
Twentieth had its first dress parade for many weeks. 
On the 17th Lieutenant Messer and the detail from 
Company D for balloon guard rejoined the colors. 
General Sumner held a grand review of the corps 
on the 22d. In fact, after the men had gotten thor- 
oughly rested from the hard campaign, the army 
settled down to a regular course of drills, parades, 
reviews, etc. 

Colonel Lee, being still too weak to return to act- 
ive duty, was detailed on July 25 to assist Governor 
Andrew in recruiting, and was put in command of 
Camp John E. Wool at Worcester. Adjutant Peir- 
son was relieved at his own request from General 
Sedgwick's staff and returned to his old position in 
the regiment, being succeeded by Lieutenant Charles 
A. Whittier, whom he had recommended. 

On the night of July 31 the Confederate Gen- 
erals French and Pendleton placed forty-one guns 
in position on the opposite side of the river, and at 
one o'clock on the following morning shelled the 
camp vigorously, but were driven back before day- 
break. 

A batch ^of thirty recruits reached the regiment 
just at evening on the 2d of August, being the first 
arrivals in response to the recent call, and they were 
followed by many other squads during the next three 
months. They were all volunteers and in most cases 
good steady reliable men who quickly amalgamated 
with those of '61. The earlier soldiers were those 
who had most quickly felt the enthusiasm of the 



140 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

period or had slighter ties at home, while those of 
'62 were the more serious who finally yielded to the 
call of patriotism in spite of the strong reasons which 
had hitherto restrained them. Among them were 
such men as Francis V. Balch, who in later years 
became one of Boston's most honored and trusted 
lawyers. With a slight and very delicate physique, 
but with a heart full of unselfish patriotism, this 
noble but modest man, thinking himself unfit for a 
commission such as so many of his juniors in college 
seniority were gracing, enlisted from a pure sense of 
duty as a private under his friends in the Twentieth, 
with whom he now refused to associate from his 
appreciation of the respect due from an enlisted man 
to an officer. But his frail body was too weak for the 
duty imposed by the noble soul, and he was obliged 
to fall out on one of his first marches down the penin- 
sula, and was finally discharged before the end of 
the war. 

At 2 p. M. on August 4 we were suddenly ordered 
to get ready and move at six o'clock. At that time 
the division began the march, but as the Twentieth 
was the last regiment, it did not start until seven 
o'clock. Then it kept up a steady tramp with hardly 
a halt until three in the morning, when it drew up in 
an open field, lay down, and slept about two hours. 
We had first gone north on the Charles City Road, 
but had then turned "westerly. We started again at 
five o'clock, and "while marching could hear guns 
firing on the left. We finally came out on the main 
road to Richmond close to our old battlefield of 
Nelson's farm, when we turned again to the left, and 
approached Malvern Hill from the north, having 
marched almost entirely around it. Artillery firing 
was then heard, and the regiment soon reached Mai- 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 141 

vern Hill, where it found that the enemy's advanced 
force had been scattered after very slight resistance 
by the troops ahead under Hooker, who were then 
pursuing them. The regiment remained on the hill 
all that day and through the next morning, the men 
making themselves as comfortable as possible in the 
intense heat by stretching their rubber blankets on 
stakes above their heads for shade. In the afternoon 
we marched to the front and joined Gorman's bri- 
gade in the extreme advance. Here Quartermaster 
Folsom brought up from Harrison's Landing a 
wagon-load of fresh bread and another load of cooked 
meat, coffee, etc., which were enthusiastically re- 
ceived. That evening the whole regiment went on 
picket, forming the right of the Second Corps picket 
line. A squad of cavalry was posted at a barn on a 
hill in front of us. It was bright moonlight, and the 
country was very open. About ten o'clock our vidette 
gave an alarm, and although no cause for trepidation 
could be seen, the pickets next on the right came 
running back calling out "Retreat!" They were 
from a new regiment just added to Carr's brigade of 
Hooker's division. Extra sentinels were then posted 
on our exposed right flank, and three hours elapsed 
before their pickets were put back. About 2 a. m. 
of the 7th we received our orders to fall back, and 
marching to the Malvern Hill Road, joined the re- 
tiring column behind Gorman's brigade, with our 
rear covered by cavalry, arriving safely in camp 
about six o'clock, glad enough to get home again to 
rest and comparative comfort. 

On the 8th the regiment was paid off, and the follow- 
ing day Lieutenant Abbott returned from his Glen- 
dale wound, and Lieutenants Curtis and Wilkins 
from sick leaves. On the 11th Major Revere and 



142 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Captain Tremlett went home, followed on the 15th 
by Adjutant Peirson and Captain Cabot, all on sick 
leave. On Adjutant Peirson's recovery from his 
serious illness, he was commissioned lieutenant- 
colonel of a new regiment, the Thirty-ninth Massa- 
chusetts, to which Tremlett was commissioned major. 
Thus the Twentieth lost two most prominent and 
excellent officers. Many of the men returned about 
this time from the hospitals and also several from 
captivity in Richmond. 

General Lee having sent Jackson to the north 
with the object of transferring the seat of war away 
from Richmond, General McClellan was ordered on 
the 4th of August to withdraw from the peninsula 
and send his army by transports up the Potomac 
to meet the threatened invasion. The Twentieth 
started at eight in the morning of the 16th, and 
marched about six miles to Charles City Court House, 
where it encamped for the night. On Sunday, the 
17th, we had a very dusty tiresome march from seven 
in the morning until half-past ten at night, cover- 
ing only sixteen miles, and carrying us to the mouth 
of the Chickahominy. The following morning we 
started again at half -past five and crossed the river 
on a pontoon bridge at Barrett's Ferry, and stopped 
on the opposite bank long enough to get a most re- 
freshing bath in the James, moving on again at 
eleven in the forenoon, and marching five miles to 
our camp for the night. At seven on the morning 
of the 19th we fell in and marched to Williamsburg, 
a fine old town with many beautiful houses and the 
large handsome buildings of William and Mary's 
College. After an hour's rest here, we marched 
through and four miles beyond the city and halted 
for the night near Fort Magruder. Another early 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 143 

start was made on the 20th at six o'clock, and that 
day we reached Yorktown, camping on the north 
side of the town, where we had a deHcious bath in 
the York River. Starting from there at six on the 
following morning, we marched to Big Bethel, about 
fifteen miles, in the heat of the day. The 22d we 
fell in at four and made eight miles in a hard rain, 
reaching Newport News. Here we enjoyed a fine 
camp for three days with sea-baths to remind us of 
home luxuries. 

At five o'clock on the afternoon of the 25th the 
regiment embarked on the old Collins steamer 
Atlantic, and enjoyed a fine sail up Chesapeake 
Bay in pleasant weather, arriving at Acquia Creek 
about three on the afternoon of the 27th. Here we 
stopped for orders and actually began to disembark, 
but were soon sent on to Alexandria, before which 
we dropped anchor about ten the next morning. 

After staying aboard the steamer all the morning, 
we finally disembarked about three, and marched 
through Alexandria to Cloud's Mills, about three 
miles and a half out on the Little River Turnpike 
towards Fairfax Court House, where we encamped 
on a beautiful slope, with many regiments of the 
division near. 

In the morning of the 29th we received orders 
to march at nine o'clock, but they were soon coun- 
termanded. Here we received about seventy-five 
recruits, but as they were unarmed, we had to send 
them back to Washington when we marched. Fi- 
nally at 5 p. M. we were started off for Fort Ethan 
Allen, which protected Chain Bridge, where the 
turnpike from Leesburg crosses the Potomac above 
Washington. We marched about twelve miles, keep- 
ing it up until after midnight, and bivouacked at 



144 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

12.30 A. M. on the road. Starting again at 5.30, we 
marched about five miles to the fort, and thence 
moved about a mile northwest and went into camp 
just outside of Fort Marcy at 1.30 p. m. Later at 
5 p. M. we crossed the Potomac by Chain Bridge 
about six miles to the fort northwest of Washington, 
where we bivouacked. We had been hearing heavy 
cannonading all day in the direction of Centreville, 
and knew that a great battle was going on. 

At 3 A. M. of the 31st we marched into and through 
Georgetown, over Aqueduct Bridge and out on the 
Centreville Road to within five miles of Fairfax 
Court House. Here we halted at 12.30 on that after- 
noon, starting again at 8 p. m. and reaching the 
Court House at midnight, where we bivouacked 
with Companies I and K advanced as pickets be- 
cause a body of Confederate cavalry had appeared 
in rear of our main army. This was a hard day for 
the regiment — twenty-one hours in marching twenty- 
five miles — especially as it was raining hard ; but 
as there were several long halts and the march was 
well conducted, all went fairly well, although the men 
were much fatigued. Lieutenant Mason rejoined the 
colors here from his sick leave and also Lieutenant 
Patten, who had just recovered from his Glendale 
wound. 

We had now come up with the army under Pope, 
which different portions of McClellan's troops had 
successively joined during the past few days. Early 
on the 29th Pope had attacked Jackson furiously, 
putting in as much of his force as he could call up, 
for he hoped to overwhelm his audacious opponent 
before Longstreet should appear. The gallant and de- 
termined assaults were repelled by Jackson, although 
after great loss and with great diflBculty. On the 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 145 

arrival of McDowell in the afternoon, Pope attacked 
again, but Longstreet had arrived in the morning and 
took part in driving back this second attack. Porter, 
sent by Pope to turn Jackson's right flank, found 
Longstreet in greatly superior numbers, and held him 
there without engaging him. 

On the afternoon of the 30th Pope again assaulted 
the enemy's right flank, Jackson, but was driven 
back by him with the assistance of Longstreet's 
artillery. Then Longstreet attacked our left with 
overwhelming numbers, while Jackson advanced at 
the same time. The Federal Army was driven back, 
but Porter's Regulars held the Henry House Hill 
that covered the stone bridge so that our troops 
were able to fall back across Bull Run that night. 
It was the sound of this fierce battle. Second Manas- 
sas, that the Twentieth heard in its rear as it was 
marching across the northern side of the Potomac. 

During the 31st Pope's army remained at Centre- 
ville, getting up supplies and ammunition while the 
Twentieth was making its forced march up to Fair- 
fax Court House, about eight nailes to the westward 
or rear of this position. Longstreet remained on the 
battlefield all that day, while Jackson marched to 
turn our right flank, reaching Little River Turn- 
pike that evening. 

At 7 A. M. of September 1 our brigade with two 
batteries was sent forward again a couple of miles 
and reported to Colonel Torbert, commanding the 
First Brigade of Slocum's division of the Sixth Corps, 
when we took position in front of Germantown at 
the junction of the Centreville and Little River 
turnpikes, where we remained all day. The Twen- 
tieth and another regiment were put out on picket, 
where at about nine o'clock they were attacked by 



146 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

some cavalry skirmishers who exchanged a few 
shots and then retired. Only one man of the force 
was wounded, Andrew Beska of the Twentieth's 
Company C. It appears that a large body of cavalry 
had got in between us and the main body of the army 
at Centreville, and that Hooker had attacked them 
and driven them off. We formed part of his second 
line and were posted in a hastily built breastwork. 
About dark, during a very heavy thunderstorm, the 
fierce little battle of Chantilly was fought a short dis- 
tance in front, between Stonewall Jackson and Stevens, 
Kearny, Reno, and part of McDowell's corps. Jack- 
son was stopped here in his new flanking move- 
ment, but at the expense of the lives of two most 
gallant and excellent officers. Generals Kearny and 
Stevens. 

We remained here on the 2d, still separated from 
the division and under the command of Hooker, 
while the army fell back and left us the extreme 
infantry advance. Casey and Slocum formed line 
of battle behind us, and the cavalry took position a 
little in front of us. Finally about five in the after- 
noon we fell back and halted to allow all the troops 
to pass; thus our brigade covered the retreat. The 
enemy pressed us, but a section of horse artillery 
was ordered to the rear and kept them back. The 
Twentieth finally reached Alexandria at one in the 
morning of the 3d, where Colonel Leeand Major Re- 
vere rejoined it. Colonel Lee now succeeded to the 
command of our brigade, relieving Colonel Hincks 
of the Nineteenth Massachusetts. On the 4th Major 
Revere accepted the position of inspector-general 
on Sumner's staff with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, 
which, as he then supposed, permanently took him 
far away from the Twentieth. 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 147 

On September 2 General McClellan was placed 
in command of the fortifications of Washington and 
of all troops for the defence of the Capital. Con- 
sequently, when Pope and his army retreated to the 
forts defending the city, he came under McClellan's 
command. He therefore asked to be relieved, which 
was done on the 5th, and the armies of the Potomac 
and Virginia were then oflScially consolidated and 
given to McClellan, to whom was entrusted the new 
and defensive campaign against Lee. 

McClellan, in the mean time, had been receiving 
the troops as they reached the fortifications and had 
disposed them where they would be most effective. 
On September 4 the reveille was sounded at 3 a. m., 
and the Twentieth marched at five o'clock to join 
its corps, crossing the Chain Bridge and keeping on 
to Tenallytown, north of Washington, where it biv- 
ouacked twelve hours later. 

On the 3d General Lee suggested to President 
Davis an invasion of Maryland and possibly Penn- 
sylvania. In a short campaign of seventy days since 
June 25 he had apparently forced the Army of the 
Potomac from a point within four miles of Rich- 
mond to one fully thirty miles away — thoroughly 
beaten and demoralized, as he had reason to flatter 
himself. He had then turned against the Army of 
Virginia, which he had turned inside out and upside 
down, even after it had received considerable rein- 
forcement from the Army of the Potomac, and he 
had finally driven both armies into the defences at 
Washington. This city he was not strong enough to 
attack, and in fact he never had any intention of 
so doing. But he had practically freed Virginia, he 
had recovered her fertile fields at the time that the 
harvest was about ripening, and with her territory 



148 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

he had recovered many prospective recruits and con- 
scripts. What should he do next? Could not he 
free "My Maryland" and obtain more fertile fields 
and more possible recruits ? Perhaps he could go 
further and "carry the war into the enemy's coun- 
try" by invading Pennsylvania. To be sure, the 
army was short of clothing and shoes, of ammuni- 
tion and transportation, but Lee could not now af- 
ford to be idle and must keep up the aggressive cam- 
paign which he had so auspiciously begun. Even 
if he did not entirely succeed in his invasion, he could 
at least keep the Federal forces occupied at a dis- 
tance from Richmond for some time, and probably 
till cold weather should put an end to all military 
movements. 

Such were the reasons for the invasion that Lee 
gave to Davis, and they were approved. On the 
4th of September D. H. Hill in advance crossed 
the Potomac in the vicinity of Leesburg, followed 
during the next three days by the rest of Lee's army, 
who immediately concentrated on the 7th in the 
neighborhood of Frederick City. The invasion of 
Maryland was now begun. 

McClellan, who was everywhere greeted with the 
greatest enthusiasm and whose presence put new 
life and vigor into the army, reorganized his forces 
while on the march. On the very day of assuming 
command he pushed forward to Leesburg, Mary- 
land, his new right wing under command of Burn- 
side, who had the First Corps, now under Hooker, 
and the Ninth Corps, under Reno, to which Cox's 
Kanawha division was attached. This wing then 
advanced by different roads to Frederick City, which 
their advance reached on the 12th. 

At 3.45 p. M. of the 5th the Twentieth left Ten- 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 149 

allytown and marched up the Georgetown Road to 
within a mile of Rockville, where it bivouacked. 
It started again the next morning at nine o'clock, 
but moved to only a mile beyond Rockville, where 
it drew up in line of battle in support of some bat- 
teries and sent out pickets. The regiment had heard 
of the invasion, and quite expected a battle, as the 
rebel pickets were reported to be at Darnestown, a 
few miles west. Colonel Palfrey, who had gone on 
the 4th from our camp at Tenallytown to Wash- 
ington on regimental business, and had hurried out 
after us when he had heard of our march, and had 
just caught up to us, gives the following spirited 
picture of the contrast between the appearance of 
the city and the army hurrying forward to meet the 
enemy : 

"Nothing could have been more peaceful than the appear- 
ance of Washington as I left it on a lovely afternoon. The signs 
of war were always plenty there of course, but there was abso- 
lutely nothing to indicate the neighborhood of an enemy. Every 
one seemed to be absorbed in the pursuits of peaceful business 
and secure pleasure as if the blast of war had not been heard 
in the land. On foot, on horseback, in carriages, every one seemed 
to be out of doors, and enjoying, whether working or playing, 
the perfect close of a perfect day. I had not ridden many miles 
when I met a squad of prisoners, and learned that they had 
been taken that morning in a skirmish on the Maryland side 
of the Potomac. So Lee, or some of Lee's men, had invaded 
a loyal state, and there was every prospect that there would 
soon be wigs on the green. Proceeding a few miles farther, I 
found the regiment, part of a line sleeping on its arms in order 
of battle, and supporting some batteries, of which the guns were 
unhmbered, with the gunners lying at the trails of the pieces. 
The report was that Jackson, with a largely superior force, was 
close at hand, and apparently proposing to attack in the morning. 
It was a dramatic changing of scene, from the comfort and care- 



150 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

less gayety of Washington to a starlit bivouac, with every pre- 
paration made for meeting an impending attack. 

" Washington and its environments presented singular sights 
in the early days of September, 1862. The luxury and refine- 
ments of peace contrasted sharply with the privations and squalor 
of war. There are few prettier suburban drives than those in 
the neighborhood of Washington, and no weather is more de- 
lightful than that of late summer there, when a cooler air comes 
with the shortening days. As the shadows lengthen in the golden 
afternoon, well-appointed carriages rolled along those charm- 
ing drives, bearing fair women in cool and fresh costumes, and 
by their side the ragged, dusty sunburnt regiments from the 
Peninsula trudged along. Rest, cleanhness, ice, food, drink, 
every indulgence of civihzed Ufe within reach of hand, but our 
hands could not be stretched out to grasp them. Military dis- 
ciphne was the dragon that guarded the golden apples of the 
Hesperides. They were so near and yet so far. The mythic 
Tantalus must have been present to the minds of many of those 
who then marched by the road which leads from Washington 
to the Chain Bridge. The carriages returned to their stables, the 
fair ladies returned to the enjoyment of every pleasure that 
Washington could confer, but the Army of the Potomac moved 
steadily northward, to bivouac under the stars or the clouds, 
and to march again in its tatters through the dust and the 
sunshine, through the rain and the mud. Fortunately we had 
by this time become soldiers in something more than the name ; 
we had learned to make much out of httle, we were cheered 
by the more wholesome air and the more variegated country, 
we were glad to get out of the wilderness of the Peninsula. It 
was pleasant, too, to be once more in a country that was at least 
nominally friendly. Whatever the real feehngs of the Mary- 
landers might be, the stars and stripes might often be seen in 
other places than above the heads of the color guards. Whether 
the natives sold to us gladly or not, they had much to sell, and 
that in itself was a most agreeable novelty to us. In the Penin- 
sula, the country afforded us nothing, and the change from 
the land where our meat was fat pork, or odious beef served 
quivering from an animal heated by the long day's march and 
killed as soon as the day's march was ended, to a land where 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 151 

fresh vegetables and poultry were not rare, was very cheering. 
Money was not scarce. The pay of the army was liberal, and 
we had had no chance to spend money on the Peninsula. So our 
march was pleasant. Wood and water were easy to find, instead 
of requiring weary searches at the end of a weary day. We no 
longer had to send the pioneers to search for stakes, and then 
to fit them toilsomely in the hard, bare earth with their picks, 
before we could unsaddle and let our horses' bridles go. The 
foragers found forage for the poor beasts in abundance, and 
the Httle tins in which we had learned to cook so cleverly had 
often something in them better than the hard bread, water, salt, 
pepper, and ration meat." 

In this same spot near Rockville we remained 
several days in a most healthful and healthy camp 
named by General Sumner Camp Defiance. Our 
baggage was sent here on the 8th, and it really looked 
as if we were settling down for a long stay. But on 
the 10th the regiment started off again and marched 
about eight miles to Middlebrook, on the road to 
Frederick City. 

On the 7th Captain Macy and Sergeants Kelly 
and Robinson were sent back from Rockville to 
Washington to arm and bring out all the recruits. 
They procured arms for about eighty-eight of them 
the next day, and started them off to the regiment, 
which had meantime moved on, but which they over- 
took at Middlebrook on the 10th. 

September 11 another easy march of ten miles was 
made in the same direction, passing through Clarks- 
burg to Hyattstown, where we encamped, and the 
entire regiment went on picket in a rainstorm. On 
the next day, which was damp and rainy, we started 
at ten in the morning and made six miles, bivouack- 
ing at the little town of Urbana. After reveille at 
3.15 A. M. of the 13th, we started at 5.30, crossed the 



152 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Monocacy, and in the afternoon marched through 
Frederick City, and pitched camp one mile beyond. 

None will ever forget the hearty welcome given to 
our army of rescue by the inhabitants of Frederick 
City. As we marched as if in review through the quaint 
town, we were greeted with the incessant applause 
of the men and the smiles of gratitude and joy on 
the fair faces of the women, with waving of handker- 
chiefs and flags. This warm and cordial reception to 
the army by the inhabitants, just delivered from the 
inroad of Lee's ragged and dirty soldiers, was most 
refreshing to us, and its charm was heightened by 
the beauty which nature had so lavishly bestowed on 
this rich valley, shut in by beautiful mountains, and 
with its luxuriant vegetation now in perfection. Most 
intense was the contrast with the low ground, the 
swamps, and thickets of Virginia, made more desolate 
by the armies, and above all by the scowls of the 
natives, whose faces were wrinkled with spite as the 
"invaders" passed. 

On this march from Rockville to Frederick City 
the Twelfth Corps under Williams moved by roads 
on our right, thus connecting us with the right wing 
of our army under Burnside. The Sixth Corps under 
Franklin was on our left, with Couch's division of 
the Fourth beyond them and next the Potomac ; 
while Sykes's division of the Fifth Corps, which had 
left Washington on the 6th of the month, followed us 
to Frederick City. 

On the night of September 13, Reno's Ninth Corps 
had reached Middletown, the First, Twelfth, and Sec- 
ond Corps and Sykes's division of the Fifth were in 
the neighborhood of Frederick City, while Franklin's 
Sixth Corps was at Buckeystown and Couch's divi- 
sion at Licksville. 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 153 

In the mean time General Lee had concentrated 
his army at Frederick City on the 7th, where he re- 
mained three days. While there he issued on the 8th 
a proclamation inviting Maryland to join the South- 
ern Confederacy. On the same day he suggested to 
President Davis that the present position of affairs 
made a suitable occasion for them to propose to the 
United States the recognition of the Confederacy, 

As this occupation of Frederick City by Lee did 
not cause the evacuation of Martinsburg and Har- 
per's Ferry by the Federal troops, as he had expected 
and desired in order to have the door into the Shenan- 
doah Valley left open for his retreat, he sent Jackson 
on the 10th by a long detour through Williamsport 
to recross the Potomac, capture Martinsburg, and 
invest Harper's Ferry on the southwest. He sent 
McLaws with his own and R. H. Anderson's divi- 
sions to seize Maryland Heights, on the opposite side 
of the Potomac, but completely commanding Har- 
per's Ferry from the north. He sent Walker to take 
possession of Loudoun Heights and complete the in- 
vestment on the southeast side. These movements 
were successful; Martinsburg was evacuated, while 
Harper's Ferry was surrendered, with twelve thousand 
men and large supplies, on the morning of the 15th. 

General Lee, when these detachments left him on 
the 10th, moved with the rest of his army across the 
South Mountain to Boonsborough, and then kept 
on to Hagerstown in order to secure some flour and 
other stores reported to be there. He left Stuart, how- 
ever, on the east side to observe the Federal Army 
and retard its advance, which he did most stub- 
bornly. 

About six o'clock on the evening of the 13th, 
McClellan came into possession of a copy of Lee's 



154 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

circular order of the 9th to his subordinates, which 
gave instructions for the movements of all parts of 
his army, described above as begun on the 10th. This 
put an end to all uncertainty as to Lee's plans; there 
was now no necessity for McClellan to hold his army 
in hand for a move in any possible direction. 

Early on the 14th Pleasanton with the cavalry came 
up with the enemy holding Turner's Gap. These 
were two brigades of D. H. Hill and Rosser's brigade 
of cavalry reinforced early on the 14th by three more 
of D. H. Hill's brigades. About 8 a. m. Cox's division 
of Reno's Ninth Corps carried the first crest; the 
other divisions were put in as they came up during 
the morning, and succeeded in driving back the enemy 
from one position after another, although with the loss 
of the gallant Reno. In the afternoon Hooker's 
First Corps (formerly the Third Corps of the Army of 
Virginia) was brought up to the assistance of Reno's 
troops, while Longstreet, who had just arrived, 
after a forced march of twelve miles from Hagers- 
town, put in eight brigades on the other side; but the 
Confederates were forced back, and we finally carried 
the pass sometime after dark. Part of our division 
then relieved Gibbon's brigade of the First Corps. 

The Twentieth Massachusetts started from Fred- 
erick City on the morning of the 14th, leaving behind 
Lieutenants Abbott, Murphy, and R. S. Beckwith, 
who were ill, consequently missing the battle of the 
17th. Captain Macy was also absent, having been 
sent back again to Washington early that morning to 
bring up recruits. Late in the evening the regiment 
came up to within two miles of the position at which 
the Confederates had made their final stand, and 
here bivouacked for the night in the line of reserves. 
It took no part in the actual fighting of this day. 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 155 

The left wing of the army under Frankhn moved 
forward that morning to Crampton's Gap, which had 
been up to that time unguarded by the rebels. But 
in the afternoon of his arrival he found it occupied 
by a force which proved to consist of three brigades 
under Howell Cobb and some cavalry. The Sixth 
Corps, after skirmishing for three hours, finally made 
a gallant charge that drove the Confederates entirely 
through the pass with great loss. 

This movement of Franklin's wing created the 
greatest anxiety in McLaws's force, which was be- 
sieging Harper's Ferry from Maryland Heights, for 
it brought the Federal troops within five miles of their 
rear. Franklin knew the exact situation of affairs 
from McClellan's order of the previous evening, which 
fully explained everything and asked for "all his 
intellect and utmost activity;" he knew that only 
two rebel divisions were in front of him, while he had 
his own two divisions with Couch close behind him 
and Colonel Miles with twelve thousand men ready 
to move out on McLaws from Harper's Ferry as soon 
as he (Franklin) should attack his rear. But for- 
tunately for McLaws, Franklin was too slow with 
his succor and Colonel Miles was too hasty with his 
surrender, for the former's advance was completely 
stopped by a single brigade of McLaws which formed 
a rear line, while the latter displayed the white flag 
about 9.30 a. m. of the 15th, giving up Harper's 
Ferry and twelve thousand prisoners, and enabling 
Lee again to reunite his endangered army. 

The Federal right wing, comprising Pleasanton's 
cavalry. Hooker's First Corps, Sumner's Secoftd 
Corps, and Mansfield's Twelfth Corps, pursued Hill 
and Longstreet by way of Boonsborough ; while the 
centre, Burnside's Ninth Corps and Sykes's division 



156 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

of the Fifth Corps, took the old turnpike direct to 
Sharpsburg. Richardson's division of the Second 
Corps reached the east side of Antietam Creek early 
that afternoon, and found the enemy halted on the 
other side and drawn up ready to receive him. He 
immediately took position on the right of the turn- 
pike, and Sykes, who now carfie up, formed on the 
left. But the remainder of both columns was too 
far in the rear for any operations that afternoon, 
the last on which Hill and Longstreet were unsup- 
ported. McClellan spent the rest of this day and 
night in placing his army in position, and this work 
was not completed till sometime after sunrise of the 
sixteenth. 

Jackson, leaving A. P. Hill at Harper's Ferry to 
receive the surrender and secure the captured pro- 
perty, started at 1 a. m. of the 16th for Sharpsburg 
via Shepherdstown, ordering McLaws and Walker 
to follow him. Jackson reached Lee early on the 
16th and Walker arrived that afternoon. McLaws, 
stationed on the north side of the Potomac, found 
that the direct road to Sharpsburg was too near 
Franklin's flank, and therefore crossed the river 
and moved up on the south side, so that he did not 
reach Sharpsburg until after the beginning of the 
battle of the 17th. Even A. P. Hill, who waited 
at Harper's Ferry to complete the details of the 
capture, reached the field of Antietam in time to 
repel the last and successful attack in the afternoon. 
Thus the reunion of Lee's army was accomplished 
between the morning of the 16tli and the afternoon of 
thfe 17th. Any attack before early morning of the 
16th would have met only Longstreet and D. H. Hill. 

Franklin, who commanded the extreme left and 
thus held the most important position, did nothing. 



HARRISON'S LANDING TO ANTIETAM 157 

After gallantly carrying Crampton's Gap on the 
14th, he declined to attack McLaws's thin rear line 
and left the Harper's Ferry garrison to its fate. He 
then remained between the gap and Rohrersville 
two days and three nights, doing absolutely nothing, 
but waiting orders from McClellan, which were not 
sent until the night of the 16th. He finally started 
early on the 17th and reached the field of Antietam 
at noon, but in time, had McClellan followed his 
advice, to take a most important part in that bloody 
battle. 

McClellan was as ready for the coming struggle 
on the morning of the 16th as he was on the 17th, 
except for some slight changes of his troops to meet 
altered dispositions of Lee, and except for a care- 
ful reconnoissance of the field, which did him no 
more good than it would have done Lee. He gained 
only Morell's division of the Fifth Corps, which 
reached him at noon of the 16th. He could have 
had Franklin's three divisions there as early on the 
16th as he did on the 17th, and even earlier, if he had 
made up his mind to call them into battle there on 
the 16th. He would not have encountered Walker's 
division until that afternoon, and McLaws and A. P. 
Hill not at all on that day. The quasi-victory of the 
17th could easily have been a complete success on 
the 16th. 

The Twentieth moved on the 15th with the bri- 
gade from Middletown toward Boonsborough, and 
then turned off to Centreville or Keedysville, through 
which it marched to the Antietam. Many recruits 
joined it on that day and took part in the battle of 
the 17tli; but as the detachments sent from Boston 
were at this time mixed together in Washington 
and only chance individuals from the "consolidated 



158 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

body were armed and forwarded before the battle, 
it is impossible to tell which particular men of them 
were engaged at Antietam. 

Colonel Palfrey wrote as follows of the enthusiasm 
of the army for McClellan as he rode to the front 
on the afternoon of the 15th: 

" While the long columns of the Federal army were resting 
along the Boonsboro' Road, General McClellan passed through 
them to the front, and had from them such a magnificent re- 
ception as was worth living for. Far from the rear the cheers 
were heard, faintly at first, and gradually the sound increased- 
and grew to a roar as he approached. The weary men sprang 
to their feet and cheered and cheered, and as he went the cheers 
went before him and with him and after him, till the sound, 
receding in the distance, at last died away." 



CHAPTER VII 

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 

Richardson's division of the Second Corps, with 
the Fifth New Hampshire as skirmishers in advance 
of the whole army, arrived about 2 p. m. of the 15th 
and took position on the north side of the Boons- 
borough Pike a short distance from Antietam Creek. 
Soon after Pleasanton with his division of cavalry 
came up and went into camp north of the pike near 
Keedysville. The next to follow was Sykes's . divi- 
sion of the Fifth Corps, which formed in battle line 
further south and nearly opposite Sharpsburg. 

When McClellan arrived a little later, he found 
these divisions in line, and selected positions for the 
other troops, having them duly placed as they came 
upon the field. With twenty-nine additional brigades 
that came up during the afternoon and night, Mc- 
Clellan had in hand on the morning of the 16th 
the greater part of the army, consisting of thirty- 
five brigades of infantry and a strong division of 
cavalry, while Lee could bring into action only fif- 
teen brigades, fourteen of which had been engaged 
at Turner's Gap on the 14th, where they met not 
only defeat but losses numbering nearly three thou- 
sand. 

From Turner's Gap to Sharpsburg is only seven 
miles, and it would have been no hardship upon the 
troops to have required every division to have been 
in line in front of that place by noon of the 15th. 



160 THE TWENTIETH IVIASSACHUSETTS 

The roads were good, the weather fine, and as no 
opposition was met, a march of seven miles in three 
or four hours appears an easy task as compared with 
what the same army was destined to accompHsh 
under the inspiration of a different leader in reach- 
ing the heights of Gettysburg under the burning heat 
of a July sun. 

The situation of Lee's army on the 15th gave to his 
opponent an opportunity such as war seldom offers, 
fortune having thrown into McClellan's hands infor- 
mation of the location of every division of Lee's army 
and the part each was expected to play. With only 
fifteen brigades in front of him at Sharpsburg and as 
many more round and about Harper's Ferry, with their 
task there known and not yet completed, it is rather 
painful to record how all the bright possibilities of 
such a situation were allowed to slip away and vanish 
when only a moderate exertion and a reasonable 
activity might have converted them into brilliant 
accomplishments. 

Franklin, on the left in Pleasant Valley, with all 
his wealth of intellectual gifts, lacked the one quality 
needed, and allowed his force of eighteen thousand 
men to be stood off by a picket line until Harper's 
Ferry had surrendered, and then asked for reen- 
forcements, which were sent to him to hold his posi- 
tion, while his opponents were making all haste in 
an opposite direction, permitting neither darkness 
nor fatigue to stay their march. 

If McClellan had directed his divisions to make 
a night march, as the enemy had often found profit 
in doing, the whole army would have been concen- 
trated by eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the 15th 
and he could have opened the battle soon after under 
conditions that might have made the loss of Harper's 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 161 

Ferry to appear like a blessing in disguise. But this 
was not to be. The Army of the Potomac had yet 
to pass through a process of evolution that finally 
brought to its command and at the head of its sev- 
eral corps and divisions the men who were to make 
its power effective and its final triumph sure. 

The good fortune that attended the Army of North- 
ern Virginia during the first two years of the war 
was due to the happy choice of officers early placed 
in command over it. It never knew but two com- 
manders, both of a high order, the latter succeeding 
to command solely by reason of wounds received by 
the former at Fair Oaks. The First Corps rounded 
out its career under Longstreet, whose name early 
became a household word in the South, and who 
was to Lee's army what Davoust was to the armies 
of the French Empire. The Second Corps had but 
two permanent chiefs, Jackson and Ewell, and the 
Third Corps saw its only commander fall on the 
2d of April in a vain endeavor to repair a break in 
the lines in front of Petersburg. Its divisions are 
still generally known to us by the names of the offi- 
cers early placed at their heads, so long was their 
association continued. 

Of the fifty odd general officers exercising com- 
mand in the Army of the Potomac at the time of 
its organization, only one. General Meade, was with 
it at Appomattox. After this accompHshed officer 
reached the supreme command, Lee's succession 
of brilliant victories was broken, and never again 
was he able to gain over his opponent a tactical or 
strategical advantage of any moment, and his sub- 
sequent successes were only of a defensive charac- 
ter in warding off assaults against his fortifications. 
On the morning of the 16th Jackson arrived at 



162 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Sharpsburg, after a night march of many miles, with 
two divisions, but the divisions of Anderson, Mc- 
Laws, Walker, and A. P. Hill did not come up until 
the 17th, the last named division arriving between 
two and three o'clock in the afternoon. 

The enemy's line as finally formed rested on An- 
tietam Creek a mile below the Burnside Bridge, and 
ran nearly parallel with it for about three miles, and 
then swung back northwesterly on a curve until the 
left touched the Potomac. It was nearly six miles 
in length and possessed the advantage of having its 
flanks protected by two streams. 

The plan of battle finally settled upon by Mc- 
Clellan included a principal attack upon the enemy's 
left and a minor attack on the right. This was per- 
haps well enough, but the manner in which it was 
carried out enabled Lee, with his lesser force, to 
meet our columns at every point with superior num- 
bers and save his army from what should have been 
a crushing defeat. The choice of a double attack, 
as in this instance, has been often adopted, but the 
wisdom of it depends much upon the topography 
of the field and the difficulties to be encountered 
in making it. There were strong objections to be 
urged against the left attack at the Burnside Bridge, 
for it could be foreseen that a small force even would 
make the crossing a difficult problem, and after it 
was effected, the troops, being more or less broken 
and disordered in opening a gateway to the enemy, 
would be the less ready and resolute in the first en- 
counter. 

No general order of battle was issued that would 
have enabled the corps commanders to understand 
what part each was to play and the interdependence 
of one upon the other, but special orders were sent 





3;R.55i»itr 






sS?Ui 









V 



ANTIETAM 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 163 

at different times, so that each corps commander 
fought a battle all by himself without cooperation or 
support from any other force. 

It was not until two o'clock in the afternoon of 
the 16th .that the first of these special orders was is- 
sued, directing Hooker to cross the Antietam with the 
First. Corps of less than ten thousand men, and move 
alone across the front of a good part of the Confed- 
erate army to make an attack upon its left flank. It 
is not strange that Hooker received this command 
with amazement, and expressed to McClellan his 
sense of the danger to which he was being exposed. 
Crossing the stream by the upper bridge and a near-by 
ford, he moved in two columns across the country as 
far as the Hagerstown Road, and then faced to the 
south, forming a battle line with Doubleday's divi- 
sion on the right, Meade in the centre, and Ricketts 
on the left. Though separated by nearly four miles 
from the remainder of the army, Hooker set his col- 
umns in motion in the direction of Sharpsburg, and 
soon encountered the enemy in front of Meade, and 
after a conflict of some sharpness with two brigades 
of Hood's division, which Longstreet reported met 
with severe losses, darkness came on and the men 
passed the night in the position they had gained, so 
near to the enemy that their conversation could be 
easily heard. 

In the evening McClellan sent three special orders : 
one to Mansfield to move the Twelfth Corps to the 
support of Hooker, one to Sumner to have his corps 
in readiness to move at daylight, and one to Burnside 
to have the Ninth Corps in readiness to cross at the 
Burnside Bridge at the same hour. A little before 
midnight the Twelfth Corps took up its line of march, 
following the route of Hooker, and at half-past two 



164 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

in the morning went into bivouac a mile in his 
rear. 

As soon as it was dayHght Hooker commenced a 
vigorous attack along his whole front, and forced 
on the fighting with much resolution and courage 
until half -past seven, when he was wounded and com- 
pelled to retire. It was a fierce, close, and deadly con- 
flict for two hours between the Federal divisions and 
the two divisions of Jackson. The right wing made 
but little progress, but the left was more successful, 
and forced back the enemy so far and in such a direc- 
tion as to bring its line nearly parallel to the Hagers- 
town Pike. The forces on both sides were absolutely 
exhausted. Jackson's divisions were withdrawn, and 
Hood moved up into his place. Hooker's line had 
almost disappeared. The losses on either side had 
been frightful. Nearly a third of the corps had been 
killed or wounded, and one brigade lost as high as 
forty-four per cent. On the Confederate side General 
Starke, commanding the Stonewall division, and a 
brigade commander, were killed. General Lawton, 
commanding E well's division, and Colonel Walker, 
commanding a brigade, were very seriously wounded, 
Lawton and Hays reported that more than half of 
their brigades were either killed or wounded; Trim- 
ble reported more than a third of his brigade disabled, 
and all the regimental commanders in these brigades, 
except two, were killed or wounded. This was the 
most desperate fighting that had thus far been seen. 

At the time Hooker was wounded, Mansfield brought 
up the Twelfth Corps, and while placing it in line 
was instantly killed. It consisted of only two divi- 
sions, and numbered about seven thousand men. 
General Lee, not expecting a great battle to be fought 
by successive detachments following each other over 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 165 

the same ground, had kept his lines thus far as orig- 
inally formed; but when he saw the advance of the 
Twelfth Corps to assist or replace the First, in addi- 
tion to Hood's division already mentioned, he sent 
forward D. H. Hill with five brigades, McLaws 
with four, and other troops to this part of the field. 

Upon the death of Mansfield General Williams 
succeeded to the command. It is not possible to de- 
termine with exactness the order in which his troops 
were brought into action. Crawford had command 
of the First Division, consisting of the brigades of 
Knife and Gordon. Green commanded the Second, 
formed by three brigades led by Tyndale, Stainrook, 
and Goodrich. As this corps came up while the First 
was on the fighting line, it at first took position on the 
left; but during the early stage of the advance Hooker's 
men had so nearly all retired to the rear that it bore to 
the right, drove the enemy from the cornfield between 
the East Woods and the pike, and finally gained posses- 
sion of the West Woods near the Dunker Church. 

The conflict during this second stage of the battle 
had been between the Twelfth Corps with a few men 
from the First and the division of Hood and remnants 
of other commands. The Union forces had gained a 
good deal of ground. This was the first time that the 
West woods and the Dunker Church had been reached ; 
but the corps had been considerably broken, and the 
two divisions were separated by a wide interval. The 
First Division was near the Miller house facing north, 
and the Second parallel with the pike facing west. 
There was no connection between the two. Though 
capable of holding the position gained against any 
pressure that might be brought against them by the 
Confederate forces then in front, there was but little 
inclination or power for further aggressive action. 



166 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

The second stage of the battle was practically ended 
at about nine o'clock. Seven thousand men had con- 
cluded that they were not quite powerful enough to 
overthrow an army. As the country was open, it was 
apparent to every one that the battle was joined at no 
other part of the line. 

It will be remembered that General Sumner had 
been ordered the previous evening to have the Second 
Corps in readiness to move one hour before daylight. 
To those who served under him it is not necessary to 
say that the order was literally complied with. For 
hours the men were in line listening to the rumble 
and roar of the battle miles away, as they had done 
at Fair Oaks, but not until half-past seven did the 
order come. It is not unlikely that an intense nervous- 
ness disturbed the mind of Sumner at this delay, which 
has never been explained, the result of which was 
later witnessed in the disaster to Sedgwick's division. 
And when the order came, it was with the direction 
that the First Division should remain until it could 
be replaced by Morell's division, which occurred two 
hours later. 

It is necessary to study this battle with a watch in 
hand. Following the sequence of events and marking 
at the same time the hours of their occurrence, it will 
be seen that two divisions of the Second Corps took 
up their march at the time when Hooker was put out 
of the fight, and that they arrived upon the field be- 
tween nine and half -past, when the Twelfth Corps 
had been so far used up that it could not be relied 
upon for much further service. 

Turning his column promptly to the ford with 
Sedgwick's division, to which the Twentieth belonged, 
in advance, Sumner hurried forward in direction of 
the battlefield. Owing to the advance that had been 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 167 

made by the Federal forces, Sedgwick bore to the 
left, and reached the scene of conflict by a shorter 
route than Hooker or Mansfield followed. Scattered 
over the field are several of those groves of noble oaks 
that everywhere give character and beauty to the 
scenery of Maryland. They are nearly always clear 
of underbrush, and offer no obstruction to a quick 
and easy passage through them. As the division ap- 
proached the eastern edge of one of these, known to 
the literature of the battle as the East Woods, it was 
formed in three lines, Gorman having the front, 
Dana the centre, and Howard the rear. The space 
between the brigades was not more than fifty paces. 
French's division was formed in a like manner to our 
left, but as its operations were in a different direction, 
and not in cooperation, they need not be now con- 
sidered. 

It was not far from nine o'clock when Sedgwick was 
ready to move. The battle had practically ceased. 
Williams says that on the approach of Sumner the 
Twelfth Corps was withdrawn. Sumner in his report 
says: "I saw nothing of Hooker's corps as I was ad- 
vancing with my command over the field. There 
were some troops lying down on the left which I took 
to belong to Mansfield's command. General Hooker's 
corps was dispersed. There is no question about that. 
I sent one of my staff officers to find where they were, 
and General R-icketts, the only officer we could find, 
said that he could not raise three hundred men of the 
corps." 

It will never be known how much, if at all. Gen- 
eral Sumner's actions were affected by nervousness 
caused by his long delay, or how much, if any, that 
nervousness was increased when he was in the im- 
mediate presence of a powerful army with only two 



168 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

divisions, and saw that practically every vestige of 
a fighting line once made up of two corps had disap- 
peared from sight, but it well may have been that 
under such circumstances he was not in condition to 
exercise that self-control and cool judgment which 
the situation required. It is certain that he acted with 
promptness. The column was set in motion as soon 
as formed. Sumner, with his white hair and eager, 
nervous face, was a conspicuous figure as he rode 
along with the men, ready to share their danger. His 
habit of pushing forward to the first line was well 
known, and had endeared him to the troops. Sedg- 
wick, too, had become a favorite with the division, 
and never allowed any oflficer to surpass him in fear- 
lessness and gallantry, though of a cooler tempera- 
ment than the commander of the corps. 

As the division emerged from the East Woods, the 
Confederate batteries were in full view on the com- 
manding hill to the left, and as the direction of the 
column was straight towards them, the shot and 
shell were plainly visible. There were many new 
men in the regiment, but in war example is as con- 
tagious as elsewhere, and the new recruits looked 
upon the situation with composure and imitated 
in their conduct that of the older men who surrounded 
them. The enemy was driven before us with losses 
on either side, especially by the Hagerstown Pike, 
where a firm stand was made by the fences. As the 
division entered the West Woods, it passed out of the 
fire and gained the further or western edge quickly 
and with ease. Here the ground fell away very sharply, 
and beyond was a fence, and on the other side of it 
a wood road which ran from the Hagerstown Pike, 
just north of the Dunker Church, to a farmhouse in 
front. The brigades of Gorman and Dana passed 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 169 

over this fence into the road beyond. It was here 
that we struck the enemy, who opened fire upon us 
before they were discovered. They held a cornfield 
and farmhouse, with outbuildings and haystacks, all 
on an opposite slope. 

As our first line stopped when the fire commenced, 
the fines crowded very closely together. No one in 
the second or third line could fire a shot. The men 
of the Twentieth stood leaning on their muskets, 
and some of the officers commenced smoking. We 
had remained in this position some minutes — the 
most advanced one reached — watching the line 
in front firing and falling, when suddenly the cry 
was raised, "The enemy is behind us!" There 
they were, not twenty rods from us, coming in on the 
left flank, and the regiments there were breaking. 
Howard's brigade went first and very quickly, while 
other regiments held their ground or ran away ac- 
cording to their courage and discipline. The Twen- 
tieth faced about, but was so crowded in the centre 
of the division that only a few could fire without 
killing men on our own side. 

General Sumner was on his horse talking with 
Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball of the Fifteenth Massa- 
chusetts when the latter called his attention to the 
Confederates coming in on our left. Sumner said, 
*'My God! we must get out of this!" and ordered 
the regiment on the right to fall back. When the 
regiments on the left gave way, the enemy poured 
in upon our rear, and for a time the loss of life was 
fearful. We had never before seen anything like it. 
Sumner walked his horse, quietly waving his hand 
and keeping all near him steady. The Twentieth 
retired by the right flank with arms at a shoulder 
and at the ordinary step. Although crowds of men 



170 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

were rushing by us in great disorder and confusion, 
the regiment was kept perfectly steady, and we were 
able to bring off every man except those killed or 
wounded. We marched back through the fields and 
up the pike to Joe Puffenburger's house, where we 
formed line in the field east of the big barn, between 
that and the woods on the east. We soon after ad- 
vanced a short distance to the front, and Companies 
K and I were thrown out as skirmishers. 

This completes the story of the part taken by 
Sedgwick's division in the battle of Antietam, which 
in less than an hour from the time the column was 
formed had lost over two thousand men, with the 
sad consciousness that the sacrifice was in vain. 
It happened in this way. Without any knowledge 
of the topography of the field and the position of 
the enemy, the division had been hastily formed as 
already described and at once sent rapidly forward 
without skirmishers in front or any preparation 
made to guard either flank. By reason of this haste 
and want of care in the particulars mentioned, the 
column moved through the West Woods with its left 
flank but a few rods from the enemy's lines of battle; 
and when it was brought to a halt by the forces in 
front and while engaged there, a force was sent to 
strike it in the rear, and at the same time great masses 
came pouring like a torrent against its flank. In 
such a situation it could do nothing but suffer and 
retreat. Even if the column had been formed in 
the most careful manner and everything had been 
known of the field's topography and the * position 
of the enemy, it was foredoomed to defeat, for five 
thousand men could not be expected to wrestle alone 
with an army. If a break had been made in the 
enemy's line, it would soon have been forced to re- 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 171 

treat, for there was no organized force ready to extend 
assistance. 

French's division, which marched with us and 
formed on our left, for some reason of which no 
explanation has ever been given, moved at a diverg- 
ing angle to Sedgwick's column, and the further 
each advanced the further they were apart, and 
when each came in contact with the enemy, they were 
separated by more than half a mile. French met 
the enemy near the RuUet house, where he became 
hotly engaged, but did not succeed in gaining much 
ground. It was a fairly even contest between his 
division and the forces opposed, and doubtless it 
inflicted losses as great as its own, which amounted 
to sixteen hundred and fourteen killed and wounded, 
with a few missing. 

Richardson's division of the Second Corps crossed 
the Antietam at half -past nine, and moved on a line 
that brought it upon the field to the left of French. 
At the time it was ready to attack, French had re- 
tired and was holding the high ground far in the 
rear of the RuUet house. The best and most suc- 
cessful fighting of the day was undoubtedly done 
by Richardson's division. The heaviest losses suf- 
fered by the enemy were in resisting its advance. 
It gained and held the Piper house, which is only 
a short distance from Sharpsburg. What is known 
as the Bloody Lane where the Confederate dead lay 
in rows, such as were seen later in front of Marye's 
Heights, was the work of the brigades of Caldwell 
and Brooke. Colonel Francis C. Barlow here won 
a promotion, and Colonel Cross of the famous Fifth 
New Hampshire did service as great but without 
similar recognition. 

During the previous evening McClellan sent an 



172 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

order to General Humphreys, who had been left 
with his fine division, for some reason it is presumed, 
at Frederick, to come forward, but it did not arrive 
until the morning of the 18th. At the same time 
Franklin was ordered to start at daylight on the morn- 
ing of the 17th, but though only seven miles away 
in Pleasant Valley, his leading division did not ap- 
pear until ten o'clock. 

When McClellan assumed command of the army 
after the defeat of Pope, he wisely advised the gov- 
ernment to withdraw all the forces at Harper's Ferry 
and Maryland Heights, as they were useless there 
and could be of service if rightly placed. As soon, 
however, as he learned of the evacuation of those 
places by the Confederates, he directed Franklin 
to send Couch's division to hold Maryland Heights, 
but it was recalled after having made nearly the 
entire distance, and only rejoined the army during 
the evening of the 17th. Though Franklin crossed 
the Antietam with two divisions between ten and 
eleven o'clock and some of his forces became en- 
gaged, his troops were much scattered, sent hither 
and thither as calls for assistance were made, and 
did little save to furnish a support to the remnants 
of the three corps who had made the fight on the 
right. Soon after the capture of the Piper house at 
about one o'clock in the afternoon, the battle ceased 
on this part of the field, though skirmishing in a lan- 
guid and aimless way went on and the artillery was 
kept in action more or less vigorously during the 
remainder of the day. 

It will thus be seen that the principal assault 
against the left of the Confederate army consisted 
of five separate attacks, under as many distinct com- 
manders, the first three being substantially over the 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM 173 

same ground near the Hagerstown Pike, and the 
two latter ones extending nearly a mile to the east. 
There was a well-marked interval between each, and 
probably at no one time were there more than five 
or six thousand men pressing heavily against any 
part of the enemy's line. 

The plan, as already stated, contemplated that 
the right wing should be assisted by the operations 
of the Ninth Corps, which was directed to be in readi- 
ness to cross the Antietam at the Burnside Bridge 
at daylight. It was not until half -past nine that the 
order was received by Burnside directing him to 
carry the bridge, seize the heights beyond, and move 
upon Sharpsburg and gain the rear of the Confed- 
erate army. It was not until one o'clock that the 
corps was across the stream, and it was three o'clock 
when its formation was completed. The attack which 
was finally made after the action upon the right had 
been at an end for two hours failed by reason of the 
arrival of A. P. Hill's division from Harper's Ferry, 
just in season to arrest its advance at the outskirts 
of Sharpsburg and hurl it back by an attack upon its 
unprotected left wing. This ended the battle. Neither 
General McClellan nor any officer or soldier in the 
army thought that night of a victory having been 
won. It was two days later, after Lee had retreated 
across the Potomac, that any one put forward this 
claim, and in a qualified sense it has been allowed. 

Colonel Francis W. Palfrey, of the Twentieth, 
who was so seriously wounded that he never again 
joined the regiment, wrote thus of the close of the 
day: 

"As the sun sank to rest on the seventeenth of September, 
the last sounds of battle along Antietam Creek died away. The 
cannon could at last grow cool, and unwounded men and horses 



174 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

could enjoy rest and food, but there were thousands already 
sleeping the sleep that knows no waking, and many times as 
many thousands who were suffering all the agonies that attend 
on wounds. The corn and oats, so fresh and green in the morn- 
ing, were reddened with blood and torn by bullets and shell, 
and the very earth was furrowed by the incessant impact of lead 
and iron. The blessed night came, and brought with it sleep 
and forgetfulness and refreshment to many; but the murmur 
of the night wind, breathing over fields of wheat and clover, 
was mingled with the groans of the countless sufferers of both 
armies." 

The morning report of August 12 gave a total of 
four hundred and sixty-eight enlisted men. 



CHAPTER Vm 

ANTIETAM TO FREDERICKSBURG 

In consequence of the wounding of General Sedg- 
wick, General Howard took command of the division; 
in consequence of the wounding of General Dana, 
Colonel Lee took command of our brigade on the 
18th of September; and owing to his absence and the 
wounding of Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey, our senior 
captain present, Dreher, took command of the regi- 
ment, and Captain Shepard acted as major. Owing 
to the illness of Lieutenant E. N. Hallo well and the 
wounding of Lieutenant W. F. Milton, both of the 
Twentieth, aides to General Dana, Lieutenant Henry- 
Ropes of Company K was detailed as acting aide- 
de-camp to Colonel Lee. 

After the Twentieth had formed on the new line 
east of Joseph Puffenberger's big barn at Antietam, 
it was immediately sent forward in support of a bat- 
tery, and held this position till the close of the battle, 
and for the two nights and day following. Companies 
I and K were sent out on picket in front of the regi- 
ment, and remained until the morning of the 19th. 
We heard the enemy moving all the night of the 18th, 
and were certain that they were retreating, and we 
gave constant information to headquarters of these 
sounds and our impressions, but nothing was done 
until we were advanced as skirmishers on the morn- 
ing of the 19th, and found that the enemy had gone. 



176 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

During the 18th we went over the field of battle and 
assisted in removing the wounded and burying the 
dead. This proved to be the bloodiest battle of the 
entire war, considering that the fighting only lasted 
a single day. Colonel Lee found only nine hundred 
and sixty men for duty in the brigade, nearly nine 
hundred having been lost in the battle. The Twen- 
tieth lost about one hundred and fifty out of four hun- 
dred, leaving about two hundred and fifty with the 
colors on the 18th. 

Captain Macy, who was bringing recruits from 
Washington, heard the heavy artillery firing all day 
of the 17th, and hurried forward as fast as he could 
push his squad, being in great anxiety as to the con- 
dition of affairs with the regiment. He could only 
get to Rockville that evening. The next day he met 
a man riding back and asked him, — 

*'Is Sumner's corps in.?" 

*'In.?" was the reply. "Yes, in all over!" 

However, he reached the front on the 20th with the 
recruits, and for a while after this others came in 
fairly good numbers. They were mostly good men, — 
those who had not been carried away by restlessness 
and the first excitement of the war, but who were 
convinced that it was their duty to do their share in 
bringing it to an end. 

At six on the morning of the 22d, the regiment 
broke camp, and started for Harper's Ferry, thirteen 
miles away. It forded the river at two in the afternoon, 
and went into camp on Bolivar Heights, where it was 
pleasantly located on the brow of the hill, from which 
there was a beautiful view, and where the air was pure 
and bracing. 

The next day it began dress parade, battalion and 
company drill, etc., getting the new men into shape 



ANTIETAM TO FREDERICKSBURG 177 

and keeping the old ones out of the mischief provoked 
by idleness. 

Colonel Lee suffered a great deal from the various 
illnesses of camp brought on by exposure to wet and 
cold, for he would not claim the privileges of age, and 
so avoid anything to which younger men might be 
exposed with impunity. He refused to shirk any duty 
or take a leave of absence, saying that if he could 
not do his whole duty he would do none, but would 
resign. 

On September 29 Captain Schmidt rejoined the 
regiment, thinking that he had suflficiently recovered 
from his terrible wound at Ball's Bluff more than 
eleven months before. 

The regiment now settled down to permanent 
quarters, and by October 2 the thoughtful and en- 
ergetic quartermaster had finished brick ovens for a 
soft bread bakery. October 1 Lieutenant Murphy 
rejoined from sick leave. That afternoon President 
Lincoln, with Generals McClellan and Sumner, 
visited our camp and rode along the lines. On the 
4th Mrs. Lee came to visit the colonel, and found 
lodgings in the town. On the 5th the express com- 
panies brought up boxes, etc., for the army, and the 
regiment was gladdened by the arrival of three army 
wagons loaded with goodies, comforts, and luxuries 
,of various kinds. Some boxes had been sent to Har- 
rison's Landing two months before, and had been 
wandering about ever since, waiting for us to settle 
down, which we now seemed to have done decidedly 
and permanently. 

General Darius N. Couch was ordered October 7 
to Harper's Ferry to take command of the Second 
Corps, relieving the grand old Sumner, who was 
granted leave of absence. 



178 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

On October 9 a number of the Twentieth men 
captured at Ball's Bluff nearly a year before, and 
some invalids, fifty in all, rejoined the regiment, and 
with them came a squad of thirty recruits. On the 
11th Lieutenant Milton, having recovered from his 
Antietam wounds, and Lieutenant Curtis returned 
to duty; and on the 15th Lieutenant Ropes returned 
from Colonel Lee's staff to the regiment. 

On October 16 at 6.30 a. m. the regiment started 
on a reconnoissance to Charlestown, Virginia, and 
drove in a small force of Confederates and occupied 
the place, bivouacking there in a hard cold rain. As 
the Twentieth was in the advance, temporarily at- 
tached to Colonel Zook's brigade of the First Division, 
it was on picket duty for the whole time, but there 
was no infantry fighting. This reconnoissance was 
undertaken by General Humphreys and some troops 
of the Fifth Corps, forming the right wing, from 
Sharpsburg by way of Shepherdstown to Halltown, 
and by General Hancock and a force from the Second 
Corps, forming the left wing, from Harper's Ferry 
to Charlestown. Colonel Lee commanded a provi- 
sional brigade consisting of the Seventh Michigan, 
Forty-second and Fifty-ninth New York of our own 
brigade, and the Seventy-first and Seventy-second 
Pennsylvania of our second brigade. Having learned 
the location of the Confederates, the entire command 
started back at noon of the 17th. The regiment passed 
that night at Halltown and reached its camp on Bo- 
livar Heights at eight o'clock the next morning. 

The regiment had no fighting and suffered no loss 
on this short excursion. Poor, plucky Colonel Lee got 
into the saddle for this reconnoissance a sick man, 
passed two nights in rain and cold, without even a tent 
for shelter, and came back to camp dangerously sick. 



ANTIETAM TO FREDERICKSBURG 179 

so that he was forced on the 21st to move into drier 
and warmer quarters in a house in town. He persisted 
in doing his duty, when he was physically unfit. He 
was so ill that his death was actually reported in camp 
on the 25th. 

The regiment now settled down for a long stay, 
hunting up a house for use as a hospital, and build- 
ing bakehouses, etc. While pretty warm in the day, 
it began to get very cold at night, so that by the night 
of the 27th half an inch of ice formed. Regimental 
and company drills now occupied the time. Colonel 
Lee left for Boston on the 29th on leave of absence 
for his health. Captain Schmidt was unable to stand 
life in the field, and after only two days on duty again 
fell sick, was left at Bolivar Heights when the regi- 
ment moved, and never rejoined it for active duty. 
On the 28th we received a new set of state colors, and 
on the 30th we sent back to Boston both stands of 
colors which had been received in August, 1861, and 
carried in all our fights, except Ball's Bluff. " Storms 
and bullets had torn them to remnants," as Colonel 
Lee wrote to Governor Andrew, "believe me, they 
are bright and untarnished." 

On October 29 at 5 p. m. the Twentieth was sent 
out on picket, while in the evening the quartermaster 
received orders to cook three days' rations. This 
was our first notice of McClellan's new campaign; 
but we might have known that it would come soon, 
for we had just finished a fine bakery! 

At two on the afternoon of the 30tli we marched 
by the pontoon bridge across the Shenandoah, and 
about eight miles down Pleasant Valley to the vicinity 
of Hillsborough, where we camped over the next day. 
On November 1 we started at 11 a. m. and went into 
bivouac at Wood Grove, which was about sixteen 



180 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

miles from Harper's Ferry and twelve miles from 
Leesburg. On the 2d we had reveille at 5 a. m. and 
fell in about eight, and had a comfortable march of 
about thirteen miles to the neighborhood of Bloom- 
field, near Snicker's Gap, where we bivouacked at 
seven in the evening. It was lovely Indian summer 
weather, — warm in the day, but with ice forming 
at night, — and the march was through a beautiful 
country, up among hills and with the Blue Ridge on 
the right. 

At noon of the 3d we arrived at Ashby's Gap, 
hearing cannonading in our front all day. At 4 p. m. 
we were drawn up in line of battle in support of a 
battery which was loaded and primed, but we did 
not become engaged. Pleasanton drove the enemy, 
and we went quickly into bivouac. At 1 p. m. of the 
4th we marched about four miles to Berry's Gap, 
beyond Paris. 

Letters from Boston received on November 4 
reported that ten of our officers met at dinner at Par- 
ker's : Colonel Lee, on sick leave; Lieutenant-Colonel 
Palfrey, wounded at Antietam, who never rejoined; 
Captain Bartlett, wounded on the peninsula, just 
appointed colonel of the Forty-ninth Massachusetts; 
Captain Putnam, wounded at Ball's Bluff; Cap- 
tain N. P. Hallo well, wounded at Antietam; Cap- 
tain Holmes, wounded at Antietam; Lieutenant E. 
N. Hallo well, on sick leave; Surgeon Hay ward, on 
leave; and Medical Cadet Norton Folsom. 

We started at 8 a. m. of the 6th, marched through 
and about six miles beyond Paris to Rectortown, 
where we encamped at 2 p. m. On the 7th we had 
a driving northeast snowstorm, just like home, a 
reminder of the near approach of winter. Captain 
Macy was that day detailed as brigade quartermaster, 
and left the regiment for brigade headquarters. 



ANTIETAM TO FREDERICKSBURG 181 

On November 8 we marched from Rectortown 
through Salem and about four miles beyond, where 
we pitched our shelter tents late at night, starting 
again in the morning to reach Warrenton early in 
the afternoon. 

Late in the evening of November 7 General Mc- 
Clellan received orders removing him from the com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac and appointing 
General Burnside in his place. McClellan left us 
on the 10th. When General Lee received the news, 
twenty-four hours after the event, of the appoint- 
ment of General Burnside, he said to General Long- 
street that he regretted to part with General Mc- 
Clellan, "for," he added, "we always understood 
each other so well. I am afraid they will continue 
to make these changes until they find some one whom 
I don't understand." 

Soon after daybreak on the 15th we packed up 
and, again the advance of the army, left Warrenton, 
marching through, and three miles beyond Warren- 
ton Junction, where we spent the night. After a re- 
veille at 4.30 on the 16th we marched all day, and 
with a short march on the 17th we reached Falmouth, 
where we halted at 2.30 p. m. about a mile from the 
river. Captain O. W. Holmes, Jr. rejoined us from 
his Antietam wound on the 19th, and with him came 
Lieutenant Abbott from sick leave. We moved our 
camp on the 20th about one mile, to an excellent 
place on a hill, where we remained until the battle 
of Fredericksburg. 



CHAPTER IX 

FREDERICKSBURG 

The removal of General McClellan was received 
with satisfaction by a few and with regret by many. 
In a sudden crisis like that of the Civil War the pub- 
lic feels its own helplessness without the aid of a 
leader capable of guiding the storm, and in a state 
of highly wrought excitement it readily and hope- 
fully hailed the appearance of General McClellan 
at the head of the army as the one destined to lead 
us to victory. There are no subjects upon which 
the people are so little capable of forming a correct 
judgment as those arising out of a great war. The 
army in the first years of the conflict showed the 
feelings and partook of this weakness of the nation. 
Though disappointed at the removal, and grieved 
at the loss of their favorite general, it was still ready 
to give the fullest measure of its strength to the cause, 
whomsoever the government might select to com- 
mand it. 

It cannot be said that the appointment of General 
Burnside was more acceptable than would have 
been that of Sumner, Franklin, or Hooker. His 
success in North Carolina had not been of great di- 
mensions, and around more than one camp-fire it 
had been whispered that the left wing under his 
command had not done its full duty at Antietam. 
The slowness and over-caution of McClellan were 
destined to be succeeded by the thoughtless move- 



FREDERICKSBURG 183 

merits and rash actions of Burnside that brought 
the Union cause very near the brink of destruction. 

In accordance with a request, on the 9th of No- 
vember, the very day he assumed command of the 
army, he sent a long communication to General Hal- 
leck, giving in detail the movements he proposed 
for the first stage in a campaign for the capture of 
the Confederate capital. In brief, his purpose was 
to concentrate the army about Warrenton and, after 
giving the enemy the impression that he was to at- 
tack in the direction of Culpeper or Gordonsville, 
make a rapid move with his whole force to Fredericks- 
burg with a view to a future movement upon Rich- 
mond from that city. 

General Halleck, not satisfied with Burnside's 
plan, went to Warrenton on the 11th and remained 
during the following day. The question of what 
should be done was discussed between the two, and, 
no agreement having been reached. General Halleck 
returned to Washington to submit the final decision 
to the President. On the 14th Halleck telegraphed 
that the President gave his assent to Burnside's 
plan, which was construed by him as an approval 
of his written communication of the 9th. 

General Burnside immediately issued orders for 
the army to march along the left bank of the Rappa- 
hannock to Falmouth, at which place General Sum- 
ner arrived on the 17th, General Franklin at Stafford 
Court House on the 18th, and General Hooker at 
Hartwood on the 19th. To this order can be traced 
all the woes which the Army of the Potomac suffered 
during the short time it remained under his command. 

General Halleck had promised at the conference 
at Warrenton that the sending of the pontoon bridges, 
provisions, and railroad material should be attended 



184 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

to at Washington, and evidently General Burnside 
gave but little thought to these things until his ar- 
rival opposite Fredericksburg. During the previous 
August he had been stationed for a number of weeks 
in this little city, and if he had an eye for ground 
must have observed that the hills in its rear offered 
a stronger position for a defensive battle than any 
on which the world's great battles had been fought. 

While the Army of the Potomac was occupying 
Warrenton and the surrounding country, one half 
of the Army of Northern Virginia was clustered 
about Culpeper Court House under Longstreet, 
and the other half was many miles away in the Shen- 
andoah Valley, as far north as Winchester, under 
Jackson. As long as Burnside remained in this 
position there was little danger of Longstreet mov- 
ing from his cantonments. Whether Burnside made 
a threatening demonstration along his front for the 
purpose of deceiving him as to his intended move- 
ments or not, was of little consequence, for it was an 
easy matter to march his forces to Fredericksburg 
at any time more quickly than his opponent. This 
place in itself was of little or no consequence, and 
its possession became of interest only as the first 
resting place in a contemplated movement by land 
against Richmond. Situated at the head of navi- 
gation on the river, with the Potomac and Richmond 
Railroad passing through it, it was of value as a base 
of operations and a depot of supplies. It should 
and easily could have been taken without a contest. 
To accomplish this should have been the thought 
uppermost in the mind of the commanding general. 

The promise of General Halleck to attend to the 
forwarding of the pontoon train was given upon 
the contingency that Burnside's plan should be ap- 



FREDERICKSBURG 185 

proved; upon any other supposition it would be 
meaningless, as in case of other operations being 
undertaken or ordered it might not be required. 
Though General Halleck reported that General 
Burnside was never authorized to move the army, 
except that it should follow the right bank of the 
Rappahannock, this is of little importance as bear- 
ing upon his responsibility, as evidently he construed 
the authority sent as giving a free rein to carry out 
the movement in his own way. But this authority 
was not given until the forenoon of the 14th, and 
Sumner's division was put in motion at daylight on 
the 15th, under orders issued the previous evening, 
before information had been received in regard to 
the bridges. On the morning of the 15th Burnside 
received a dispatch from General Woodbury in- 
forming him that one pontoon train might be ready 
to start on the 16th or 17th, and that General Hal- 
leck opposed the sending of a second by land, but 
might do so if General Burnside should insist. It 
is thus made certain that before Sumner's division 
had proceeded far on the road, and could have been 
recalled without harm, the commanding general 
knew that the bridge material would not arrive for 
a week or ten days. General Sumner was permitted 
to continue the movement, and was followed the 
next morning by the remainder of the army. 

Under these circumstances all the misfortunes 
flowing from this premature and ill-considered move- 
ment are to be traced directly to General Burnside. 
To place the army in front of Fredericksburg, with- 
out the means of crossing, pointed out to General 
Lee the prize sought to be won, and enabled him 
to send his swift-footed southern soldiers to throw 
a line of glittering bayonets around it and hold it 



186 THE TWENTIETH INIASSACHUSETTS 

with ease. If the commanding general had arranged, 
as prudence and a sound miUtary judgment would 
dictate, for the pontoons and the army to arrive at 
the same time, the bloody battle of Fredericksburg 
would never have been fought, and the Army of the 
Potomac would not have been called upon to suffer 
a defeat, that was not only disastrous, but produc- 
tive of moral results that months did not wholly 
remove. 

The sudden withdrawal of the forces from the 
front of Longstreet's corps in no way disquieted 
General Lee, though he was in doubt as to the di- 
rection they were taking and the purpose of the 
movement. Having learned of the arrival of Gen- 
eral Sumner at Falmouth on the 17th, he at once 
sent McLaws's and Ransom's divisions on the road 
to Fredericksburg, and a few days later started 
with the remainder of Longstreet's corps for the 
same place; but not until it was certain that the 
Army of the Potomac was concentrated between 
Acquia Creek and Falmouth. General Jackson was 
still permitted to remain in the valley a hundred 
miles away, with discretionary authority to operate 
in any way he might think useful, subject to a pos- 
sible sudden recall to the line of the Rappahannock. 
The calm and unruffled manner in which General 
Lee received the information of a new movement 
against Richmond is in striking contrast to the ex- 
citement and panic into which our military author- 
ities were thrown whenever he turned his horse's 
head toward the upper Potomac. 

Until the 10th of December the army remained 
in a state of inactivity, before which time General 
Jackson had been recalled, and had taken position 
some twenty miles lower down the river, and Long- 



FREDERICKSBURG 187 

street had completed a line of fortifications along his 
front. 

On assuming command General Burnside di- 
vided the army into three parts and assigned Gen- 
eral Sumner to the command of what was called 
the Right Grand Division, consisting of the Second 
and Ninth Corps; General Hooker to the Centre 
Grand Division, consisting of the Third and Fifth 
Corps; and General Franklin to the Left Grand 
Division, consisting of the First and Sixth Corps. 
Each division was an army in itself. There were 
some advantages in this arrangement, but the con- 
solidation of the six corps into three would have 
been better, but it is not probable that there was 
any one at that time of suflScient authority to have 
been able to accomplish so radical a change. In 
1864, when General Grant assumed command of 
all the armies, this plan had been carried into effect. 

The battle of Fredericksburg, in which the Twen- 
tieth was to bear so honorable and distinguished a 
part, is in some respects one of the most interest- 
ing battles ever fought on the American continent. 
It is not probable, however, that the historian of 
the rebellion will give it any very prominent position 
among the many great conflicts he will be called 
upon to record. The student of military science 
will find but little here to reward him for his toil. 
It lacks, too, that interest which gives an immortal- 
ity of fame to fields of carnage where the tide of his- 
tory has been turned, or where the fate of nations 
has been decided. The 13th of December was a 
disaster which only retarded for a short time the 
final triumph of the Union arms. Yet, aside from 
the low position it must ever maintain as one of the 
long series of engagements through which the Army 



188 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

of the Potomac fought on so bravely to final victory, 
it possesses the mournful but unenviable notoriety 
of having reduced the spirits of that army to its low- 
est ebb. There were many times after bloody re- 
pulses when the prospect "was dark and cloudy, but 
at no time did the soldiers come so near losing hope 
in their cause, or ambition to put forward another 
effort to save an imperiled government, as during 
the months which immediately followed the im- 
mense slaughter on the plain that is overlooked by 
the Marye and Willis Heights. 

As a picture of all that is grand and awful in the 
meeting of hostile armies, Fredericksburg can claim 
preeminence over most of the battles of the war. 
The field was a broken plain, cultivated, devoid of 
trees, and overlooked by heights on either side from 
which could be seen without fear of harm the move- 
ments of the entire army. The dread spectacles, 
which, elsewhere, the friendly covering of hills and 
forests veiled from sight, were here laid open to the 
view of all. The soldier who has campaigned from 
Yorktown to the closing scene at Appomattox Court 
House will never return in mind more often to the 
incidents of any one day of his military career than 
to those which the 13th of December indelibly stamped 
upon his memory. 

It Was not expected by either commander, when 
General Burnside drew up on the left bank of the 
Rappahannock near Falmouth, that a great battle 
would be fought in that vicinity. On the 19th of 
November General Lee wrote to General Jackson 
informing him of the departure of Longstreet's 
corps for Fredericksburg, in which he made known 
his intention of not offering a determined resistance 
to Burnside's advance north of the North Anna. 



FREDERICKSBURG 189 

Within a week, however, he changed his mind in 
this respect, but it seems certain that he was not 
hopeful of meeting with success in such resistance, 
for in a letter to President Davis he informed him 
of his purpose of breaking up the railroad as a means 
of retarding Burnside so as to oblige him to move 
with a large wagon train. 

The Army of the Potomac was then in a condi- 
tion to realize the highest expectations. Its spirits 
were high and elastic. The Maryland campaign, 
which culminated at Antietam, was fresh in its mem- 
ory and well calculated to inspire confidence in its 
own prowess. From the Potomac to the Rappa- 
hannock Lee had retreated before the victors of 
Antietam, who began to think the quick spirit and 
fiery courage of his once formidable army had spent 
itself, and that it no longer had a taste for battle. 
There is reason for the belief that something of this 
feeling pervaded the South, and that General Lee 
himself was fearful that the strength of his army 
had been impaired by the unfavorable termination 
of the northern invasion.* It had been undertaken, 
in the fond belief that beyond the Potomac he was 
soon to compel a recognition of the independence 
c5 the Confederacy. The army, too, was powerful 
i^i numbers as well as in spirits. The rolls showed 
above a hundred thousand men equipped for the 
field. There were many new regiments recently 
assigned, but placed side by side with the old they 
had quickly learned the duties of soldiers, and had 
begun to look upon themselves as veterans. The 
addition of recruits to an army, though unskilled in 
evolution or but little acquainted with the manual, 
is always an element of strength, if they are of such 
character as those gained by volunteering in the 
summer of 1862. 



190 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

On the 10th of December it was generally known 
that the attempt would be made to cross the Rap- 
pahannock the following day. The secrets of mili- 
tary movements are discovered by an observant 
army by signs as certain as those which foretell the 
coming of storms. No precaution can entirely pre- 
vent this. The soldier catches the signs of an im- 
pending conflict, just as a farmer in the hay field 
catches the signs of a coming shower. There was 
a general air of business and activity throughout 
the army which an experienced eye could not well 
mistake. Groups of general officers with their staffs 
were collected about headquarters; the tardy pon- 
toons had arrived and had been placed at a convenient 
point for use; innumerable army wagons were radi- 
ating in every direction from the centre of supplies 
at the railroad depot, crawling in long files, under 
whip and spur, over the hills till hid from sight in 
woods or valley; couriers were moving in greater 
numbers and at a brisker pace than usual, carrying 
the latest instructions to the various executive offi- 
cers; and soldiers were writing to their homes under 
an impulse which they hardly wished to examine 
or analyze, in a vain attempt to allay fears which 
they well knew the announcement of a movement 
of the army would excite. 

On the 9th of December orders were sent for the 
concentration of the army on the morning of the 
11th. The grand divisions of Hooker and Sumner 
were to be massed near the Phillips house, while 
Franklin's two corps were to come together two 
miles lower down opposite the place of their expected 
crossing. The sun had not been able to thrust his 
face through the mist that had settled down so thickly 
over the valley that night, when the work of concen- 



FREDERICKSBURG 191 

tration commenced over the vast plain stretching 
off to the Potomac. It was a goodly sight to behold 
that steady stream of men come pouring in from 
all directions to a common centre near the heads of 
the contemplated bridges. It is seldom that so large 
a part of an army is ever brought so closely together. 
For hours the living tide flowed in, not over one road, 
but in whatever way each detachment could quick- 
est find its place of destination, that way it was sure 
to follow. Infantry, artillery, and cavalry, over fields 
and through forests, moved quickly to the place 
assigned them. The army had then learned the 
art of war, and fell naturally to its work. As regiment 
after regiment and brigade after brigade moved 
along, it was interesting to mark the fearless step 
with which those veterans of many battles moved 
forward to anticipated danger. The new regiments 
with banners bright and uniforms unsoiled moved 
along briskly, full of wonder at the novelties about 
them, to learn their first dread lesson of war. 

By nine o'clock in the morning the concentration 
had been completed. Hooker covered the broad 
plateau of the Phillips house with infantry and 
artillery in mass. Sumner had concealed his divi- 
sions in the ravines and hollows nearer the river. 
Up to this time no change had been made in the 
Confederate forces. Longstreet was still opposite 
Fredericksburg, and Jackson some twenty miles 
lower down in the direction of Port Royal. Since 
the resolution was formed of making a determined 
stand against any advance of the enemy, nothing 
had been omitted to make the Confederate position 
secure. 

As early as the 21st of November the residents 
of Fredericksburg were notified of the danger of 



192 THE TWENTIETH INIASSACHUSETTS 

remaining longer in their houses, and all the ambu- 
lances and wagons in the army were put in service 
to remove them and their belongings to a place of 
safety. In a few days, a city of some four or five thou- 
sand people had been depopulated and its streets 
were deserted. This place, which was in the colo- 
nial period, and for some years after the revolu- 
tion, one of the most important towns in Virginia, 
for some reason had failed to keep pace with its 
rivals in wealth and population, and for fifty years 
had been what was called a "finished town." For 
this length of time the sound of trowel or hammer 
had not been heard within its precincts in the erec- 
tion of a new building. Occasionally a schooner 
would come up the river and tie up at the landing 
for a cargo of wheat and tobacco, but its halcyon 
days of a busy commerce had long since disap- 
peared. Washington had lived in his youth upon 
his father's farm nearly opposite the city's wharf, 
and it is related by Irving that he was the only 
boy in his day who could throw a stone across the 
Rappahannock, which at that point is between four 
and five hundred feet wide. Mary Washington, 
the mother of George, lived for many years in the 
little stone house on the corner of Charles and Lewis 
streets, and died and was buried from there. Over 
her grave, and across the fields through which he 
had roamed and meditated, the Federal cannon were 
soon to send their shot and shell against those who 
were in rebellion against the government which he, 
more than any other, had been the instrument of 
establishing. In this harsh way the little burg, after 
half a century of sleep and forgetfulness, was des- 
tined to a new renown, and to be henceforth spoken 
of as the burial place of the mother of Washington 



FREDERICKSBURG 193 

and the site of the great battle of Fredericksburg. 

At first General Lee did not think that Burnside 
would attempt to cross at this point, but expected 
Port Royal or some spot further down would be the 
place where he was most likely to meet the enemy; 
but the long delay, and the work of rebuilding the 
wharf at Acquia Creek and repairing the railroad 
from there to Falmouth, which had been diligently 
prosecuted for nearly a month, satisfied him that the 
Federal commander was about to offer him an op- 
portunity of inflicting a blow of more than ordinary 
proportions. As his army was somewhat scattered, 
it was necessary to throw every obstacle in the way 
of crossing the river, to gain the time needed for its 
concentration. 

On the night of the 10th General Barksdale was 
picketing the river with part of his brigade in front 
of the city as far down as Deep Run. At the old rope- 
ferry, where the two upper bridges were to be placed, 
one company of the Seventeenth Mississippi was 
stationed, and at the steamboat landing was an- 
other company of this regiment under Captain Govan. 
The remainder of the regiment was held in reserve 
at the market-place under Colonel Fizer. At eleven 
o'clock General Barksdale rode into the city, and 
from information that had been received ordered 
the doubling of the picket line. Colonel Fizer sent 
two additional companies to the rope-ferry and two 
to Captain Govan. During the night the Thirteenth 
and Twenty-first Mississippi, commanded respec- 
tively by Colonel Carter and Colonel Humphrey, 
arrived at the market house, and the Eighth Florida 
was sent in detachments to Colonel Fizer and Cap- 
tain Govan. Near the mouth of Deep Run the Eight- 
eenth Mississippi was stationed, and this post was 



194 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

subsequently strengthened by the Fifteenth South 
CaroHna and the Eighteenth Georgia. In all a force 
of seven regiments was given to General Barksdale, 
with instructions to prevent the laying of a single 
bridge, if possible. In the city were four regiments, 
afterwards reinforced by three companies of the 
Eighteenth Mississippi, while at and below Deep 
Run were three, less the three companies detailed, 
from the Eighteenth Mississippi. 

Fredericksburg extends for about a mile along 
the river upon a level plain some forty feet above it, 
and about a hundred yards from the water. It con- 
sists of five principal streets running northwest and 
southeast, with numerous short ones crossing these 
at right angles, all of which terminate in dead ends 
on the edge of the plain about a hundred yards from 
the river. At the end of these cross-streets the land 
drops down rather sharply for twenty feet or more, 
and from this point slopes gradually to the water. 
Upon this second level a few houses were scattered 
about without reference to the line of streets above. 
At advantageous spots rifle pits had been constructed 
which, with existing walls and the cellars along the 
bluffs, afforded good shelter for sharpshooters, and 
commanded all the approaches to the city. 

For the first and only time during the war. Burn- 
side was to attempt the crossing of a navigable river 
in face of a powerful army and offer battle upon the 
hither bank. To bridge it, in case of no opposition, 
would be the work of only two or three hours, but 
the problem was an entirely different one when keen- 
sighted riflemen in places of security were ready to 
shoot down every bridge builder who should attempt 
to anchor a boat or lay a plank. To effect a speedy 
crossing every precaution had been taken, and pre- 



FREDERICKSBURG 195 

parations on an extensive scale had been made. Dur- 
ing the night one hundred and forty-seven guns had 
been placed upon the most eligible and commanding 
sites under the superintendence of General Hunt, the 
chief of artillery. General Woodbury, commanding 
the engineer brigade, had landed four bridge trains 
upon the river bank by three o'clock on the morning 
of the 11th. His orders were to lay two bridges near 
the rope-ferry at the upper end of the city, one at the 
steamboat landing at the lower end, and one at the 
mouth of Deep Run for the accommodation of Gen- 
eral Franklin. Besides the artillery upon the heights, 
the Fifty-seventh and Sixty-sixth New York were 
sent to the Lacy house to protect the engineers in 
their work near that point, and the Eighty-ninth New 
York to a spot opposite the steamboat landing. Un- 
der the cover of darkness the engineers hauled the 
boats into the river, anchored many of them in the 
right positions, and had completed the three bridges 
beyond the centre of the stream, when the Mississippi 
riflemen drove them to the land. Neither artillery 
nor infantry were able to silence their fire or to give 
adequate protection to the engineers. A dense fog 
rendered every object invisible a few rods away, but 
the position of the bridge builders was sufficiently 
indicated by the noise necessarily made in work of 
this kind. The men were clustered together on the 
end of the bridge fronting the enemy ; and although 
sighting was impossible, yet one bullet out of many 
was sure to find its victim. It was impossible to keep 
men at work under such circumstances, and from 
the first firing until three o'clock in the afternoon, not 
an additional plank was added to any one of the three 
bridges leading to the city. During this period, how- 
ever, the engineers four times attempted to resume 



196 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

work, and as many times were driven back. Thirty- 
six guns were brought from the bluff down to the 
river bank, and for half an hour kept up a rapid can- 
nonade upon the covers behind which the sharp- 
shooters were concealed, which appeared to silence 
their fire; but the moment any one took up a plank 
or resumed work of any kind, it broke out again with 
redoubled violence. 

At noon the fog lifted, and every object upon the 
further side of the river became plainly visible. It 
was thought, with the terrible fire that could be con- 
centrated upon a narrow space, that no one could 
live under it; but cannon balls spent their fury in 
vain and minnie balls rained against the bluff and 
pattered against the houses to no purpose. The 
men of the line, who do the most serious part in 
every war, are apt to look upon those assigned to 
special duties, like engineers, as lacking in the high 
courage which they consider as belonging to them- 
selves alone. Eighty of this class from the Eighth 
Connecticut volunteered to finish the upper bridge, 
but they had not got half over the partly finished 
structure before they, too, retreated, carrying their 
wounded comrades along with them. 

For nine hours General Barksdale had stood in the 
way and stopped the movement of the great army. 
In two wars the riflemen of Mississippi had been 
famous for their bravery and the skill and accuracy 
with which they used their rifles. Here again they 
gained new laurels, winning applause from both friend 
and foe. 

At four o'clock in the morning Colonel Fizer of the 
Seventeenth Mississippi went to the station at the 
rope-ferry and assumed the command. He had under 
him seven companies of his own regiment. First 



FREDERICKSBURG 197 

notifying the few remaining families to remove at once 
beyond the line of danger, he posted his men in the 
cellars of houses with windows looking upon the river, 
in pits that had been prepared on different command- 
ing sites, behind walls, and under such other natural 
or artificial covers as the place afforded. Reenforced 
at five o'clock by a part of the Eighth Florida, and 
at two in the afternoon by ten sharpshooters of the 
Thirteenth Mississippi, with this force he had been 
able to cover the two bridges with so sharp a fire that 
their construction, under the methods thus far tried, 
was abandoned. Captain Govan, at the steamboat 
landing, with three companies from the Seventeenth 
Mississippi and three from the Eighteenth Mississippi 
and part of the Eighth Florida, had been equally suc- 
cessful. 

The officers of the engineer brigade and all those 
who had witnessed the repeated failure at the two 
crossings were unable to suggest any way of over- 
coming the opposition, which had thus far paralyzed 
their efforts, when General Hunt, the chief of artil- 
lery, suggested the happy thought of sending men 
over in open pontoon boats and driving the enemy 
away. Fifty men from the engineer corps had already 
fallen, and many oflScers and men from the supporting 
regiments had been killed or wounded, including 
the colonels of the Fifty-seventh and Sixty-sixth New 
York. 

Colonel Hall, commanding the brigade with which 
the Twentieth was connected, that had been selected 
to lead the army into Fredericksburg, had designated 
the Twentieth Regiment to march at its head, but the 
want of a bridge interfered with this formal part of 
the arrangement. The regiment therefore remained 
for several hours at the Lacy house in full view of what 



198 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

had taken place at the river. When General Hunt's 
plan was suggested, the Seventh Michigan (Colonel 
Hall's regiment) volunteered for this perilous duty. It 
was arranged that, under the protection of a rapid 
and continuous artillery fire, the pontoon boats should 
be pushed into the river, and the troops rowed across 
by men from the engineer corps. The enemy, dis- 
covering this new movement, opened fire, and at the 
first shot the rowers ran away. There were many 
men from Michigan accustomed to handle the oar, 
and some of these, taking the place of the engineers, 
as soon as a boat was loaded rowed into the stream 
and waited there until a sufficient number had been 
filled, when all pushed across as quickly as possible. 
Officers and men sprang to land, and with little at- 
tention to the formation of a perfect alignment, rushed 
upon the houses on the lower plain and quickly cleared 
them of the enemy. In this first dash thirty-one pris- 
oners were taken and a firm lodgment secured. There 
were less than seventy men yet across, and as swiftly 
as boats could be moved the remainder of the regi- 
ment was sent to aid them in holding their ground. 
On the return of the boats the Nineteenth Massa- 
chusetts was sent over, which took position upon the 
right, as the Seventh Michigan had moved down be- 
low the point of its landing. 

By securing the houses nearest the river, the fire 
of the enemy had been materially lessened ; but 
owing to the absence of General Woodbury, or some 
other unknown reason, work upon the bridges was 
not immediately resumed. The Twentieth, still at 
the Lacy house, had been directed to pass over on 
the first completed bridge, but in such an emer- 
gency, time being all important. Captain Macy, acting 
as colonel, and Captain Abbott, as major, took it 



FREDERICKSBURG 199 

over in boats, and formed it in line as a cover and 
protection to the bridges. There was some fear 
lest, remembering the experience in crossing the 
Potomac a year previous at Ball's Bluff, there might 
be some distrust manifested in a situation quite 
similar, but one of apparent greater difficulty and 
danger; but this was instantly dissipated as the men 
cheerily jumped into the boats and put a trackless 
path between them and the Stafford shore. 

There was an incident connected with the cross- 
ing of the Seventh Michigan which has been told 
before, but cannot be repeated too often. Robert 
H. Henderson, twelve years of age that day, a 
drummer boy of the regiment, desiring to make 
his birthday memorable, jumped into one of the 
boats when he was ordered out by the captain. Still 
desiring to do something of service, he got permis- 
sion to push one of the boats off from shore, and as 
it slid into the stream he clung to the stern and was 
dragged through the water to the other side. Run- 
ning up the bank with the men, his drum was broken 
by a piece of shell; thereupon he discarded it as use- 
less, picked up a musket dropped by one who had been 
killed, and fought in the ranks the remainder of the 
day. 

As soon as the first bridge was laid, the remainder 
of the brigade passed over, consisting of the Forty- 
second and Fifty-ninth New York and the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania. At this 
time only a narrow strand by the river had been 
gained, useful as a starting point for a further ad- 
vance. From the time the first detachment had landed 
there had been a constant fire kept up upon it by 
the enemy, who occupied the higher ground and 
the whole upper part of the city. Though dispos- 



200 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

sessed of a little ground, there was no disposition 
for yielding more. The advantage of position and 
the command of a superior force was still in favor 
of the enemy. The remainder of Howard's divi- 
sion was pressing forward, and it was necessary to 
gain more room, without delay, to prevent the dan- 
ger of a panic, which might easily be created in a 
large mass of men crowded together in a narrow 
space by the river. 

Covering that part of the city fronting the upper 
bridges were one hundred and fifty men of the 
Eighth Florida, seven companies of the Seventeenth, 
the left wing of the Twenty-first, and the Thirteenth 
Mississippi, making in all about fifteen hundred. 
The Eighth Florida and the seven companies of 
the Seventeenth Mississippi were occupying the 
houses, yards, and gardens near the river; the 
Thirteenth Mississippi was in line on Caroline Street; 
one company of the Twenty-first Mississippi was 
on the edge of the bluff at the foot of Williams Street ; 
another company of the same regiment was at the 
foot of Hanover Street; and three companies were 
on Water Street, and the remainder in reserve at 
the market house. 

Though the promise given to the Twentieth Mas- 
sachusetts to lead the advance into Fredericksburg 
was not literally kept, yet it was in effect, though 
in a way not thought of at the time the promise was 
given. The regiment was now ordered to gain pos- 
session of the city and clear the way for the divi- 
sion to come forward. To protect the flanks a skir- 
mish line from other regiments was organized, but 
this force was of no service, and could make no head- 
way. The Forty-second New York was directed 
to move forward at the same time on a parallel street 



FREDERICKSBURG 201 

to the left; but from fear of confusion and the firing 
of one into the other, it was decided, at the last mo- 
ment, that the Twentieth should start alone. It 
numbered three hundred and seven, including offi- 
cers and men. In the early dusk of a short December 
day it moved up the bank to enter the thickly built 
portion of the city. This was the first and proved 
to be the only instance in the war of a fierce and 
deadly contest for the control of a populous town. 
The whole army was waiting for one of its two 
hundred units to clear the path before it. To move 
in column against a line of breastworks, to charge 
a battery, to form in part a forlorn hope in some 
desperate encounter which may be necessary for 
the safety of an army, are among the trying duties 
which a soldier expects to be called upon to per- 
form; but generally, even in infrequent cases like 
these, it is to meet dangers that can be seen and 
partially measured, and thus in a degree he is able 
to prepare himself for the trial, however great and 
however hazardous. But it is before dangers unseen 
and unknown, where the imagination is likely to 
prove more vivid than the will is strong, that brave 
men are liable to hold back and pause. For such 
work there must be a union of perfect leadership 
and perfect discipline. In the Twentieth these two 
requirements met. A moment's hesitation on the 
part of the commanding officer, a failure of intel- 
ligent or hearty support on the part of a single sub- 
ordinate, would have made success impossible and 
failure certain. 

Moving by the flank in fours, as the regiment 
entered the street it was met by a fire that came 
pouring down upon it from the troops in Water 
Street and from the houses on either side. A citizen 



202 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

who was unwillingly acting as guide was killed at 
the head of the column by the first volley. Its own 
instinct thereafter pointed out the way. As the 
length of the line presented too broad a mark to the 
enemy on either flank, without pausing, Captain 
Macy threw the regiment into platoons, and then 
at a charge led it against the three companies of 
the Twenty-first Mississippi, blocking the front on 
Water Street, which did not wait to encounter its 
bayonets; then straight forward to Caroline Street, 
where one wing under Macy turned to the right, 
and the other, under Abbott, turned to the left, 
whence it drove into retreat the Thirteenth Missis- 
sippi, and having gained sufficient distance, posi- 
tions were taken and held until relieved by other 
troops of the division. The contest was now ended. 
Though there was still some firing after Caroline 
Street was gained, there was no serious attempt to 
dispute the control of that part of the city which the 
regiment had won; and soon after the whole of 
Barksdale's command retired from the town. 

The service here rendered by the regiment won 
the applause of the whole army. Those who wit- 
nessed its advance through the street, lighted up 
by the flash of muskets from the windows and door- 
ways of the houses on either side, from behind every 
cover that could hide and protect an enemy, while a 
sheet of flame brought into clearest outline the two 
battalions at the crossing of Farquhar and Caroline 
streets, that seemed almost literally to wipe out the 
leading platoon at every volley, witnessed a specta- 
cle at once appalling and sublime. Not at Stony 
Point under Mad Anthony Wayne, not at Lodi 
under Napoleon, nor at Balaklava in the charge of 
the Six Hundred, was there a finer exhibition of 



FREDERICKSBURG 203 

what native valor and patriotic devotion can accom- 
plish, when moulded and welded into a disciplined 
mass, and led by men worthy of such a corps. 
Colonel Hall, under whose orders the regiment was 
acting, said in his ofl&cial report: "I cannot pre- 
sume to express all that is due the officers and men 
of this regiment for the unffinching bravery and 
splendid discipline shown in the execution of the 
order. Platoon after platoon was swept away, but 
the head of the column did not falter. Ninety-seven 
officers and men were killed or wounded in the 
space of about fifty yards." 

The Confederate accounts do not materially dif- 
fer from what has been here claimed, and when 
critically examined and compared, in effect confirm 
it. General Barksdale, who was subsequently 
killed at Gettysburg, left no written record of the 
operations of his brigade. Colonel Fizer of the 
Seventeenth Mississippi, claiming that his regiment 
nine times drove the enemy from the bridges and 
remained for twelve hours under the fire of artil- 
lery and sharpshooters, reports that about 4.30 
p. M. the batteries became so numerous and con- 
centrated that his men could not use their rifles, 
and he was compelled to fall back to Caroline Street, 
and from there was ordered from town. This is not 
quite candid or correct. No mention whatever is 
made of the river having been crossed, or the man- 
ner of it. No allusion is made to the conflict with 
the Twentieth Massachusetts or other troops on the 
Fredericksburg side of the river, and the natural 
inference drawn from the whole report is that he 
withdrew by reason of the rapid fire of the batteries 
and the sharpshooters on the Stafford shore after 
the loss of one hundred and sixteen men. Colonel 



204 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Humphrey of the Twenty-first Mississippi reports 
that he was ordered to advance to assist the Thir- 
teenth and Seventeenth regiments, which were then 
engaged with the enemy, who had already succeed- 
ed in crossing. He claims that meeting on Caroline 
Street three of his companies that were retreating, 
bearing along the body of one of their captains, he 
there made a stand and drove the enemy off the 
streets back toward the bridge, and held them in 
check until about seven o'clock. Colonel Carter of 
the Thirteenth Mississippi says in his report that 
he was proceeding towards the river to assist Colo- 
nel Fizer when he met him retiring, being unable 
to hold his position, and that they both retired to 
the market house. He was then ordered to form his 
regiment on Caroline Street, which he was unable to 
do, for the reason that it was held by the enemy. 
He then took up a position on Princess Anne Street, 
covering as many of the cross-streets leading to the 
river as possible, and at once entered into an en- 
gagement with the enemy, which continued for two 
hours, when he received an order to retire from the 
town, "which order," he says, "I promptly obeyed." 
It is evident that these three officers wrote their 
reports without consulting with one another. The 
contradictions between them are not greater than 
are often seen, and arise from the willingness on 
the part of officers to disregard the sequence and 
logic of events in order to give a favorable coloring 
to the operations of their commands. Nothing is 
more certain than that Colonel Humphrey was 
drawing upon his imagination, and not reporting what 
his eyes saw, when he claimed that he held Caro- 
line Street and drove the regiment off towards the 
bridge. This street runs between Water and Prin- 



FREDERICKSBURG 205 

cess Anne Street, and as Colonel Carter found the 
former occupied by Federal troops, and does not 
claim to have been able to dispossess them of it, 
the statements of Colonel Humphrey are shown by 
his own friends to be fictitious. 

The three regiments sent to guard the lower cross- 
ings were unable, owing to the nature of the ground, 
to offer a successful opposition to the laying of the 
bridges, and by nine o'clock m the forenoon one of 
them was completed, while soon after two more were 
laid. General Franklin was ordered to remain on the 
Stafford side until the upper bridges were finished. 
One hundred men from the Eighty-ninth New York 
crossed the river in four boats near the steamboat 
landing a short time after the Seventh Michigan, 
with a loss of one killed and nine wounded. As each 
detachment landed, it charged and took a designated 
point, capturing sixty-five prisoners. The remainder 
of the regiment passed over in the same way and 
gained possession of the lower part of the town with 
little opposition, and held it until other troops arrived 
over the finished bridge. To gain a day's time Gen- 
eral Lee had sacrificed three hundred and thirty- 
nine men, and the price paid was small indeed. The 
Federal loss for the day cannot be accurately stated, 
but about half of it fell on the Twentieth Regiment. 

By nine o'clock Fredericksburg was in the undis- 
puted control of the Union forces, and was held 
during the night by Howard's division and by 
Hawkins's brigade of the Ninth Corps. General 
Devens's brigade from Franklin's command crossed 
at the lower bridge, and alone held that section of 
the field in front of the enemy, but no connection 
was made between the two. 

Fortunately the duty of establishing a picket line 



206 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

around the city fell upon other forces, and the regi- 
ment was allowed to gain such rest as it could after 
the struggles of the day. There was much in the 
situation to stir the imagination, excite distrust, and 
create disquietude in the minds of all, but espe- 
cially among those who had had experience of hav- 
ing a river behind and an enterprising foe in front. 

The city, with its maze of unknown streets, was 
mostly deserted, but there are always a certain few 
— the sick, the poor, and the unfortunate — who 
cannot escape from a threatened calamity however 
great it may be. There were some of this class who 
had concealed themselves as best they could during 
the bombardment, and when night came they stole 
out of their hiding places to breathe the upper air. 
A light here and there behind closed casements in- 
dicated the abodes of such; others less bold feared 
to show a light. The streets were in utter darkness, 
save where the soldiers were preparing their even- 
ing meal. For a mile along Caroline Street hun- 
dreds of little fires had been started and kept alive 
from the neighboring fences, around which groups 
of men were gathered, some walking about, others 
sitting on the curbstones, eating, drinking, smoking, 
talking a little, but in low tones, with minds intent 
to catch the first notes indicative of approaching 
danger. Some of the hardy men of the Eighty- 
ninth New York, after they had made their posi- 
tion secure from the steamboat landing, had made 
excursions into the houses for something better than 
soldiers' fare and had returned with a fair measure 
of success. One of these was sitting beside a little 
fire, on which a pot of coffee was cheerily boiling 
and bubbling; and with a nicely roasted chicken upon 
his plate, and a jar of jelly by his side, he ate and 



FREDERICKSBURG 207 

drank in turn, and, as he took the cup from his 
lips, coolly placed it on the dead body of a Confeder- 
ate which was lying conveniently by. To such a 
point will the rough experiences of warfare carry 
us, that the soldier in his banquet hall can thus use 
the bodies of the dead, without the least apparent 
shock to his sensibilities or any loss to his appetite. 
The day, which had been warm and pleasant, had 
grown suddenly cold on the going down of the sun. 
The advance couriers of what was to be a blinding 
fog were already filling the air with their sharp 
needle points that pierced through to the skin and 
dimmed the light of the stars. Objects began to 
grow more and more obscure and to take on fan- 
tastic shapes such as wander at times through the 
realms of dreamland. When the fires went out no- 
thing could be seen, and the city was covered with 
a blanket of darkness. The eye was no longer of 
use to guide, and every faculty, except those of hear- 
ing and feeling, appeared to have been lost. If 
in the sudden flashing up of an ember a group of 
soldiers was seen, they appeared only as ghosts, and 
like ghosts as suddenly disappeared. It was alto- 
gether a strange, unnatural, and memorable night. 
Somewhere on the plain, near the picket line, a 
building was fired, and the flames, leaping straight 
up through the motionless air, shook their great 
folds, giving out sounds not unlike pistol shots. In 
the wide circle of light which they made, the enemy 
were able to see some of our pickets, upon whom 
they opened fire, which at once dispelled the illu- 
sion, which had circulated as a rumor, that Lee had 
commenced a retreat soon after the crossing was 
effected. As the army was in preparation for battle, 
officers and men were without tents, and were in 



208 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

line along the streets parallel to the river, in readi- 
ness for a probable night attack. To camp in the 
houses was prohibited, and, as the danger of it was 
apparent to all, but little disposition was shown to 
disobey the order. Sleep and rest under these cir- 
cumstances were nearly out of the question, and the 
night dragged slowly and heavily along. The com- 
ing of day was most joyously hailed for the relief 
it brought from an anxiety which was intense but 
not overwrought. 

In the first light the men roamed about the city, 
took in its dimensions, learned the streets, the sys- 
tem on which they were constructed, and formed 
an estimate of the value of their conquest. At first 
sight it did not seem to be a great prize, nor did it 
rise in value upon a longer acquaintance. Though 
Washington had spent a part of his youth here and 
his mother was buried in a near-by cemetery, these 
facts did not appeal to them. It was a city conquered 
from the Confederacy, and there was no little satis- 
faction in the punishment it had received. Though 
the order of Burnside to batter it down had not lit- 
erally been complied with, yet the destruction wrought 
by a hundred guns during a bombardment lasting 
ten or twelve hours was not small. The upper and 
lower sections had suffered most, but no part was 
free from wounds. There was scarcely a building, 
from one end to the other, which thousands of mis- 
siles sent at random did not find out and enter. 
Ninety-eight cannon balls had struck the front alone 
of a private residence on Caroline Street; many 
others received nearly as bad treatment. The town 
could not boast of a whole window. Chimneys top- 
pling down had broken through the roofs of many 
homes and scattered their debris of brick and mor- 



FREDERICKSBURG 209 

tar in the yards and over the sidewalks. All were 
tenantless and untenantable. Yards and gardens 
that had been the pride of families were scenes of 
destruction and ruin, scattered over with splintered 
trellises, ornamental vases, uprooted shrubbery, and 
the great arms of trees that had furnished a grate- 
ful shade to successive generations of owners. To 
these inanimate objects time and labor would bring 
their healing; but in the wide-reaching destruction of 
war, they share in its waste and heighten the pic- 
ture of its desolation. The bodies of cats and dogs 
were scattered through the streets, in the yards, in- 
side the houses, and some were lying on the door- 
steps of their masters' houses. Hens and chickens 
had been shot in their coops. A dove circling high 
in frenzied fright over the city had lost a wing from 
an exploding shell and fell fluttering to the ground. 
More pathetic still was the sight of a beautiful heifer 
standing on three legs in front of the accustomed 
bars, her large soft eyes asking relief from suffer- 
ing which a friendly bullet soon gave. Scores of 
Confederate dead had been left in every part of the 
town, lying where the deadly bullet or the ragged 
shell had struck them. By the side of a large oaken 
log, squared by an adze, was a beardless boy from 
Mississippi whose head had been carried away by 
a round shot, and there was probably no one to 
tell his father that it left evidence in its course that 
he had died facing his foes. The details of all that be- 
fell this hapless city would fill a volume, and so only 
an attempt to state its broad outlines is made here. 

There is nothing more noticeable than the quick 
way in which an army shifts its moods, passing in a 
moment from the sad and solemn into the spirit of 
fun and frolic. The music at a soldier's funeral is 



210 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the emblem of his life. Shadow does not give way to 
sunshine more readily than tears to smiles. After 
a sombre and anxious night there was need of re- 
laxation, and the men took it. There was no nook 
or corner in Fredericksburg which they did not ex- 
plore to discover its mysteries. All at once the city 
became vocal with music. There were many pianos 
left behind, most of which had been sadly knocked 
out of tune, but they served very well for a rough 
kind of "Yankee Doodle" or "Star Spangled Ban- 
ner." From a rebel stronghold Fredericksburg had 
been converted into a centre of loyalty. The streets 
were resonant with a chorus of voices that poured 
forth patriotic songs which may have reached the 
ears of anxious waiters on the Marye and Willis 
heights. Clothed in the costumes of Virginia that 
were in fashion in the days of Mary Washington, a 
procession marched along the line with all the fun 
and frolic of Harlequin in his happiest mood. An 
old family coach, a relic of colonial days, with its 
yellow body resting on untrusty thorough-braces, 
its artistic ornamentation and gilding long since 
obscured and covered with dust, was hitched to a 
mule with ears so long that they dropped on either 
side of his head by mere force of their weight, and 
driven the length of Caroline Street by a soldier in the 
mask of a negro, with two representative belles of a 
by-gone age sitting on the back seat and scattering 
smiles and kisses to an applauding crowd. While 
this carnival was at its height, a swarm of Confed- 
erate skirmishers swept down close to the city's edge 
and sent a shower of bullets rattling down the streets. 
In an instant the revelers disappeared, the fun and 
frolic ceased, and the men, disrobed of their attire, 
hastened to their position in line with their trusty 



FREDERICKSBURG 211 

muskets in hand. A serious mood henceforth held 
sway. 

During the morning other divisions of the army 
were passing over the bridges. By noon the fog had 
lifted; and as the long columns, dropping down from 
the Stafford Hill to the river, became visible, the 
Confederate artillery began to fire at them, which 
at once called out a reply from our guns, and a sharp 
duel was kept up during the greater part of the after- 
noon. The day was warm and sunny, with the bluest 
of skies overhead. Not a cloud was visible. The 
soldiers lounged about on the banks of the river and 
watched the practice of the cannoneers. The Staf- 
ford Heights, whose smooth and nicely rounded 
crest was capped with more than a hundred guns, 
rose a few hundred feet above the water level. Every 
object stood out clear and distinct against the blue 
sky, — the movements of the artillerymen, the little 
puffs of smoke that leaped forth so spitefully, and 
then sailed off so leisurely through the indolent air, 
the fierce rush of the shells, the savage recoil of 
the guns, and the quick spring of the men to pre- 
pare their grim pets for a renewal of the work of 
destruction. There was a fascination in the picture 
that grew in interest as the contest became warmer. 
The great guns began to appear like animate beings, 
interested in their work, tossing up their heads in 
the pride of conscious strength as they sent their 
ponderous bolts hurtling through the air straight 
in the teeth of their enemy. The men in their humor- 
ous way began to give names to their favorite pieces, 
and before long it was no longer guns, but "Old 
Rough and Ready," "Molly Stark," "John C. Hee- 
nan," "Ben Butler," "Rebellion Smasher," and a 
score of departed ex-presidents, that were thundering 
along the hills. 



212 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

On the morning of the 13th the valley was again 
covered with a thin white fog that rendered objects 
invisible at a short distance. The whole of Sumner's 
grand division was then in the city, every street cov- 
ered with infantry and numerous batteries, very few 
of which could be used. Franklin had also crossed, 
but Hooker's division was then on the other side. 
More than forty-eight hours had passed since the 
first pontoon was slid into the river, and it is need- 
less to say that Lee had before this time brought his 
army together and placed it in its appointed position. 
All thought of a surprise had now been given over, 
and nothing remained but to retreat or fight a battle 
upon ground offering every facility for a successful 
defense. During the 12th no attempts had been 
made to reconnoitre to the front and ascertain what 
difficulties, if any, were in the way to prevent a de- 
ployment of the army. The picket line had been 
established close to the western edge of the town, and 
the existence of a canal but a few rods in front had 
not been discovered, which Burnside, who had been 
at least two weeks in Fredericksburg during the 
previous August, was ignorant of. The two streets 
running out of the city, nearly parallel with each 
other, crossed this canal, the planking of the bridges 
over which had been taken up, forcing the troops, 
on their advance, to walk over in single file on the 
stringers. 

The battle was fought by the right and left wings 
of the army at points separated from each other by 
an interval of two miles, and by two streams of some 
importance flowing into the Rappahannock, which 
prevented the possibility of cooperation and ren- 
dered the reenforcement of either in case of neces- 
sity extremely difficult and hazardous. The general 



FREDERICKSBURG 213 

opinion among military men now is that Burnside 
placed the army on the right bank of the river with- 
out having formed any definite idea of what he was 
then to do with it, and finally adopted a course the 
least likely to win success. The Confederate Army 
was in line along the ridge that touches the Rappa- 
hannock a mile and a quarter above Fredericksburg, 
and from that point sweeps southeasterly in the 
shape of a gently bent bow for a distance of three 
miles to the Massaponax River. There was no part 
of it that did not present serious obstacles for an 
attacking army to overcome, and the Marye and 
Willis heights in front of the wing with which the 
Twentieth was connected were in themselves a chal- 
lenge that any prudent commander would hesitate to 
accept. 

About half past ten, as the fog was beginning to 
break, the first gun was heard and the smoke of an 
exploded shell was seen far away to the left in the 
direction of Hamilton's Crossing. It was evident that 
Franklin had commenced to move forward, for the 
shot came from a Confederate gun. In compliance 
with Burnside's written order to send a division at 
least for the purpose of seizing the high ground above 
the crossing at Hamilton's, General Meade's divi- 
sion was formed in battle order ; but before it had 
made much progress, being exposed to a fire upon 
its left flank from some horse artillery in position 
near the Massaponax, it was obliged to halt and 
free itself from this annoyance. The position held 
by Jackson, in front of Franklin, being more open 
to attack than that held by Longstreet, was, how- 
ever, only about half as long and enabled him to 
form four lines of battle nearly parallel to each other 
for its defense. As soon as Meade had driven off or 



214 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

silenced the annoying artillery upon his left, his 
division was moved rapidly forward, and finally, at 
a charge, broke through A. P. Hill's division, captur- 
ing some standards and three hundred prisoners, 
when it was compelled to retire. Meade was sup- 
ported on the right by Gibbon's division and on the 
left by other troops, but the force of his charge was 
broken before assistance was at hand, and after his 
repulse no other offensive movement of any im- 
portance was undertaken on that part of the field. 

Before the failure of Franklin's attack was known 
at headquarters, Sumner, having received an order 
in almost the exact language of that given to the 
commander of the Left Grand Division, directed 
General Couch, commanding the Second Corps, to 
form a column of a division in three lines, covered by 
skirmishers in front and on either flank, for the pur- 
pose of seizing the heights in the rear of the town. 
A second division was to be formed in the same way 
to be ready to advance in support of the first. Gen- 
eral French's division was selected to lead. It 
was obliged to move out of the city and over the 
canal by the flank, and was formed in the manner 
indicated in the order under the partial covering of 
a slight rise of ground a short distance nearer the 
enemy. Its right rested on the Telegraph Road. A 
little after twelve o'clock the order was given to ad- 
vance; and as soon as it cleared the rising ground 
behind which it had formed, Hancock's division 
filed into the vacant space and formed the second 
column in support of the first. Soon after Sturgis's 
division of the Ninth Corps moved up to the left as 
a support to the assaulting columns. 

The ground in front, as smooth as the glacis of a 
fort, rose in a gentle incline for about four hundred 



FREDERICKSBURG 215 

yards to the stone wall in front of the Marye house, 
behind which the brigades of Cobb and Kenshaw 
stood in four ranks. There were some board fences 
that had to be leveled or surmounted, that caused 
delay, and were serious obstacles to a rapid advance. 
French's column moved forward with great gallantry, 
but it was moving to attack the left wing of a power- 
ful army in a position of great natural strength care- 
fully fortified, its concave line affording space for 
an unusual number of guns to bear upon it; and its 
force being expended about one hundred and twenty- 
five yards from the stone wall, the men instinctively 
dropped to the ground and commenced firing from 
their recumbent positions. 

Hancock followed next after French, and through 
an inspiration which troops always receive from 
such a leader, his division passed beyond the line 
of the leading column, the farthest reach of this 
human wave being marked by a row of dead twenty- 
five yards from the stone wall. Here the men gen- 
erally followed the example of the first column, 
though some of them under Colonel Brooke took 
possession of the few buildings at the forking of the 
Telegraph Road, and were able from a partial cover 
to maintain a close and successful fire against the 
infantry at the foot and the artillery on the summit 
of the Marye Hill. 

Howard was now called upon, and he moved the 
brigades of Owen and Hall out of the city by Han- 
over Street in the above order. Colonel Hall halted 
his column for a short time in order that his troops 
might be able to pass rapidly from the town over 
the canal. Owen formed his brigade on the left of 
the Telegraph Road, and Colonel Hall was directed 
by Hancock to dash directly up this road. He formed 



216 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

his command, consisting only of eight hundred men, 
in as broad a column as the street would allow, and 
marched a short distance in this formation, when 
by order of Couch it was placed in line to the right. 
The Twentieth held the right of the brigade, and 
during the charge that was made upon the rifle-pits 
of the enemy the heaviest fire of infantry and artil- 
lery fell upon it. Every other part of the brigade 
faltered and fell back under a deadly shower of 
bullets, and the regiment stood alone. Colonel Hall 
succeeded in bringing back the other parts of the 
brigade, when a second advance was made; but a 
successful charge was hopeless by a force now re- 
duced to four or five hundred where a column of 
five thousand had twice failed. What was left of 
this force joined with the remnants of other com- 
mands and held a position well up to the enemy 
until relieved during the night. Colonel Hall in his 
report of this charge speaks as follows of the con- 
duct of the Twentieth: "A portion of the Seventh 
Michigan, Forty-second and Forty-ninth New York 
fell back, as did the Nineteenth Massachusetts a 
moment later. The Twentieth Massachusetts stood 
firm and returned the fire of the enemy until I had 
reformed the line and commenced a second advance. 
The advance was renewed in fine style by the whole 
line, but gave way from the left. The Twentieth 
Massachusetts showed the matchless courage and 
discipline evinced on the previous day." Twice in 
a single battle was the regiment singled out from 
the others of the brigade for commendation, in the 
words quoted, by their commander. 

General Hooker, who had remained at the Lacy 
house, was now sent over with the Fifth Corps. As he 
rode over the pontoon bridge on his splendid white 



FREDERICKSBURG 217 

horse, he was greeted with loud cheering from the 
men on the river bank. His reputation for personal 
bravery was well established, and this tribute was 
given him for qualities which soldiers most admire. 
He proceeded out upon the plain, and, after care- 
fully examining the field and consulting with the 
officers whose opinions he respected, was so much 
impressed with the folly of continuing the battle, 
and so apprehensive of the possibility of a serious dis- 
aster to the army in the narrow and dangerous posi- 
tion in which it was placed, that he sent one of his 
staff back to express his opinion to Burnside that 
he should desist and withdraw across the river. 

Thinking his presence might be more effective, 
while Butterfield's divisions were crossing, he rode 
back to the Lacy house and told Burnside with em- 
phasis that the troops were being uselessly sacri- 
ficed; but these words of truth and wisdom were 
spoken to ears that were sealed to sound advice, 
and the response was that the attack must and should 
be continued. Hooker, irritated, discouraged, sick at 
heart, in a spirit of revolt against the order which 
made him the unwilling instrument of sending to 
their death hundreds of his brave men, returned 
to perform, as best he could, what must have been 
the most painful duty of his life. Failure as it was, 
when this act of his was known, it increased his 
popularity, and was of service in the great work 
that soon devolved upon him of restoring the morale 
of the army, which was so much impaired by all the 
circumstances surrounding the battle. 

Having sent Griffin's division to the support of 
the Ninth Corps, Hooker formed Humphreys's divi- 
sion, composed of nine-months men, in the depres- 
sion beyond the canal, with Sykes upon the right 



^218 THE TWENTIETH ]NL\SSACHUSETTS ' 

for support. The four most accomplished officers 
of the army, Meade, Reynolds, Hancock, and Hum- 
phreys, were all Pennsylvanians, each remarkable 
for personal gallantry, as well as for those higher 
qualities that mark the man born to command. 
Humphreys personally led forward Allaback's bri- 
gade, and then Tj'ler's ; and though many ^exliibi- 
tions of heroism were witnessed that day, nothing 
was seen that excited more admiration than the 
charge of this division. 

There have been many scenes of striking and 
tragic interest upon battlefields, pictures of the 
grand and heroic type which are only presented by 
war, but it may well be doubted if at any place 
or at any time has been seen ami:hing calculated 
to leave a stronger or more lasting impression upon 
the mind than what met the eye of every beholder 
during the last moments of the battle of Fredericks- 
burg. 

The sun was just setting as Tyler's brigade and 
Getty's division were moving forward to ground 
from which the last charge was made. Through a 
cloudless sky from zenith to horizon it had looked 
down upon that ensanguined field and caught its 
color of crimson and of red. Thirty thousand men, 
lying upon the ground between the Telegraph Road 
and Hazel Run, amid seven thousand dead and 
wounded, streaking it with broken lines and mot- 
tling it with patches of blue, watched the broad shad- 
ows creeping down the plain and bid them hasten 
— saw the blood-red sun pausing above the hills 
and wished it gone — saw the dusk come on and 
thought it slow in its coming — saw the hills lifting 
up higher in the evening gloom and looking down 
upon them with a more savage frown — saw the 



FREDERICKSBURG 219 

red earth epaulements turn to dusky brown and lose 
the sharpness of their outHnes — saw the day fade 
into night and all the stars come out — felt the air 
grow cold and the earth freeze; and while this 
transformation was going on and not yet completed, 
heard the tread of armed men behind as Hum- 
phreys led his last brigade up and through them to 
reach a goal so many had sought before in vain. 

The broken lines and patches of blue were no 
longer visible, for the night had given to every object 
something of its own coloring and turned the Marj'e 
and Willis heights into a wall of blackness, that 
stood out as an impassable barrier to the west. The 
battle which had been waged with fierceness through 
the day, with the coming on of evening assumed 
such intensity as if passions more than human were 
urging it on. The hour for order and command was 
succeeded by an hour of living fury, which converted 
a vast field into a ferocious storm of battle, to which 
the elements of earth and air lent their aid to heighten 
the horror and sublimity of the scene. In quick suc- 
cession, so quick that they seemed almost continu- 
ous, sheets of flame flashed along the lines a mile 
in length, cleaving the darkness with wedges of light, 
that leaped forward and sprang back like the fly- 
ing shuttles of a loom. All the while from the higher 
levels of the hills the artillery was thundering out 
its shot and shell, and at every discharge the great 
black guns stood out, and the grimy features of eager 
men hurrying about them to gather in new sheaves 
to the rich harvest already reaped. In this whirlpool 
of strife men fell unheeded, regiments crumbled 
away, batteries of artillery were overthrown, while 
others, drawn by horses of seemingly supernatural 
strength and beauty, dashed forward into the line 



220 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

of light to rekindle at fearful sacrifice the decaying 
fire. 

Then all at once and unheralded the battle ended, 
the tumult ceased, and the wounded army was per- 
mitted to gain such rest as a field held and a battle 
lost afford. 

During the night a large part of the forces were 
withdrawn from the front line to the city, and the 
wounded were gathered up and cared for in the 
houses. Most of the buildings were converted into 
hospitals, and there were at least six thousand, a 
larger number than the ordinary population of the 
place, to be provided for. 

The 14th was Sunday, and a busy day it was for 
the surgeons, whose operating tables were everywhere 
visible through the broken windows. During the 
whole day their work went on, and never before 
had this feature of war been so exposed to view. It 
was this in part which had such a depressing effect 
upon the army, which soon revealed itself. In every 
street a long line of white-robed ambulances were 
busy from morning till night in carrying the wounded 
across the river. The bridges were crowded with 
them going and coming, and at no time was the file 
broken as they toiled up the Stafford hills with their 
freight of human sufferers. 

It was known that Burnside had ordered that 
another attempt should be made the next day to 
carry the heights; and as the men had formed their 
opinion that it would fail, this cast a shadow over 
them, and though the sun was bright and the air 
warm, it could not dispel the gloom that filled the 
place and was reflected from every countenance. 
Fortunately the advice of General Sumner prevailed, 
and during the night of the 16th the army was 



FREDERICKSBURG 221 

withdrawn across the river, the bridges were taken 
up, and the Twentieth marched in a drizzling rain 
back to camp, where it remained for about a month. 
The casuaUties in the regiment were over thirty 
per cent of its strength on the 11th and a Httle more 
than thirty-three per cent on the 13th, but are con- 
soHdated here for the entire battle as follows : — 

Company A. Killed: Privates Benjamin F, Bumpus, James 
Cauraugh, Benjamin D. Clifton, Jonathan Francis. Wounded: 
Privates Oliver S. Bates, Benjamin B. Besse, Joshua Besse, 
2d, David G. Chapman, George H. Curtis, Thomas W. Green, 
Thomas C. Tieman, Lyman P. Tilton. 

Company B. Killed: Private Andreas Wilhelm. Wounded: 
Second Lieutenant Henry E. WiDdns; Sergeant Frederick 
A. Schoof; Privates Samuel Elliott, Jacob Getz, Pankratz 
Herbst, Frederick Karcher, Herman O. Schieferdecker. 

Company C, Killed: Captain Ferdinand Dreher; Corporal 
Anton Stejffens; Privates Frederick W. Bushe, James Meghan. 
Wounded: Sergeant Albert Reiss; Corporal Charles Light; 
Privates Leopold Bender, Joseph Heim, William Leiblein, 
Franz Minuty, Patrick Murphy. 

Company D. Killed: Corporal Richard Hawkins; Privates 
Daniel W. Borden, William Calon, Charles Cero, James 
Donahue, Junius J. Johnson, Josiah Proctor. Wounded: 
First Lieutenant Arthur R, Curtis; Sergeant Horace A. 
Derry ; Corporals Charles J. Curtis, Alden H. Holbrook, Robert 
Hart; Privates John Dag, John Devine, James Dow, Job W. 
Dupee, Francis Giesler, Joseph H. Jordan, John Leyson, 
James P. McVey, David Murphy, Andrew Phillips. 

Company E. Killed: Corporal John Mclntire; Private Wil- 
Ham Tootell. Wounded: Sergeant Martin F. Davis; Cor- 
poral James Corcoran; Privates Eugene Conners, Thomas 
Conway, John Fenton, Owen Hirl, Edward S. Stockwell, 
Michael S. Sullivan. 

Company F. Killed: Captain Charles F. Cabot; Privates 
Thomas Downey, Nathaniel F. Hooper, Daniel [O'Brien, 



222 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

James Sullivan, Thomas Kelly. Wounded: Corporal John 
Cummings; Privates James Carroll, Simon Cass, Dennis 
Collins, Daniel Daley, Timothy Hartnett, James Long, 
James McGregor, James McGuire, Thomas McGuire, John 
McLean, Patrick O'Heam, Patrick O'Leary, Patrick Quin- 
lan, FeUx Riley, Morris Rowland. 

Company G. Wounded: Second Lieutenant Thomas M. Mc- 
Kay; Color Corporal Charles H. Hunt; Corporal John 
Powers; Privates Frank A. Bernenher, Daniel Casey, Wil- 
liam Casey, Ezra .D Chace, John Driscoll, M. H. Krook, 
James M'Ginness, Michael Pentonay, Morgan Sweeney. 

Company H. Killed: Second Lieutenant Robert S. Beckwith; 
Privates Thomas Donnelly, William Tasker. Wounded: 
Sergeant William Powers; Corporal Joseph P. Powers; 
Privates Edwin F. Briggs, William Duffie, R. S. Gardner, 
Gardner Goodwin, Bernard Harkins, Peter Kelty, Andrew 
Kerwick, Stephen Longfellow, Donald McPhee, Tolman 
C. Richards, John C. Sloeman, James A. Smith. 

Company I. Killed: Second Lieutenant Leander F. Alley; 
Corporal Peleg B. Davenport; Privates Alonzo Arling, Isaac 
S. Barker, Joseph Berry, James Briody, John Dacy, Charles 
F. Elhs, Martin V. Kempton, Peter McEnany, Charles A. 
Morris, George E. Snow, Jacob G. Swain, Wilham H. Swain, 
William H. Welcome, Wilham H. Winslow, Ezekiel L. Wood- 
ward. Wounded: Privates Frederick W. Barnard, James 
H. Bartlett, Daniel B. Chase, George H. Coffin, Ed^vard P. 
Greene, James Kearns, Benjamin N. Luce, Miles Muldoon, 
Josiah F. Murphey, Owen Murphy, John O'Connor, Edward 
L. Orpins, Albert C. Parker, Thomas J. Russell, John Ryan, 
Gottlieb Sessler, Charles F. Swain, Patrick Waters, John 
Wells, Alexander Winthrop. 

Company K. Killed: Corporals George Blankinburg, Thomas 
J. Crowell ; Privates Thomas Carver, John Donnelly, Charles 
S. Hastings. Wounded: Captain Allen Shepard, Sergeant 
P. J. Campion; Privates James Blake, Henry F. Dana, 
John Dillon, Thomas Flanagan, Patrick Morrissy. 



CHAPTER X 

WINTER ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK 

The Army of the Potomac saw the first year of its 
active Hfe about to close with results far different 
from its early hopes and expectations. In the retro- 
spect there was little to cheer and much to dishearten. 
Its victories had been few and its defeats many. Con- 
taining, as it did, many -men in the ranks of a high 
order of intelligence, the causes of their failure were 
eagerly discussed, and in their minds decided. Every 
little shelter tent was in turn converted into a council 
of war, and the decisions there made became the gen- 
eral opinion of all. 

The men were unwilling to admit that they were 
inferior to the enemy in courage or less skilled in the 
use of the musket, and the conclusion inevitably fol- 
lowed that the fault lay in the manner in which they 
were commanded. And they were correct. 

It had not escaped the observation of those clear- 
sighted soldiers that, though the army was larger 
than that of the enemy, they always had the longest 
battle line and the most men at the point of actual 
contact. This was not an isolated fact but the gen- 
eral rule. There were not wanting those familiar 
with the maxim of Napoleon, that the art of war con- 
sisted in having the larger number of men and guns 
to bear upon a given point, and in this they recog- 
nized that Lee was superior to those under whom 
they had served. They recalled that on the peninsula 



224 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

two corps had been sent across the Chickahominy, 
and so scattered that the advanced division of Casey 
had been attacked and utterly routed before aid 
could be brought up in its support; that later the 
Fifth Corps had been left upon the opposite side of 
the same stream, and, though for two days it had 
been known that Lee was preparing to crush it, only 
a single division was sent to its succor until the even- 
ing of the second day's battle, when the lines had 
been broken and the. retreat had commenced; that 
at Antietam the precious 16th of September had 
been lost by a fatal delay, and on the 17th the battle 
had been fought by successive detachments, and the 
same method had been adopted by another com- 
mander at Fredericksburg, while all the time their 
great opponent had been teaching them by different 
tactics how battles should be fought and how victo- 
ries could be won. They had taken their places in 
the ranks with full knowledge that many lives would 
be sacrificed, at which there was no repining ; but 
to engage in battle after battle that seemed to be de- 
stroying and not assisting the cause for which they 
had enlisted, was disheartening and depressing in a 
high degree. The culmination of this feeling came 
with the battle of Fredericksburg. It was shown in 
the looks, the speech, and the conduct of the men. 
It varied in different regiments according to their 
discipline and the character of the officers in com- 
mand, but none were absolutely free from it. 

Soon after the 13th of December desertions grew 
more and more frequent, and at length assumed 
alarming proportions. Other men feigned sickness, 
and so successfully was this deception carried out that 
thousands imposed upon the surgeons and secured 
discharges. How the army felt toward its commander 



WINTER ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK 225 

was made known to him when, shortly after, at a re- 
view, he was received with a frigid silence that caused 
many who shared the general feeling to be moved by 
pity for him. The path of duty was painfully appar- 
ent to the clear-sighted President, and on the 28th 
of January Burnside was removed. 

Before this date, however, new fuel was added to 
the flame of discontent already existing. General 
Burnside felt keenly the failure which had befallen 
the army under his command, not so much for any- 
thing personal to himself, but for its effect on the coun- 
try and the cause which he had so much at heart. 
There was no more pure-minded, loyal, and disinter- 
ested soldier in the service than General Burnside. 
Beheving that his battle had been lost from the 
strength of the enemy's natural position, and doubt- 
less not aware of the effect which his failure had pro- 
duced in the army, on the 26th of December he issued 
preliminary orders for a new movement, which was 
stopped by a telegram from the President, upon repre- 
sentations made to him by several oflficers, who had 
sought his presence, that unless he interfered, a dis- 
aster of a magnitude to efface the memory of Fred- 
ericksburg would surely occur. 

The army then remained quiet in camp until the 
20th of January, when Hooker's and Franklin's 
Grand Divisions were actually set in motion on a plan 
quite similar to that inaugurated by Hooker the follow- 
ing May. It was the intention to cross the Rappahan- 
nock at the United States and Banks's fords and 
place the four corps, to be followed by the other two, 
upon the left flank of the enemy, which would prob- 
ably have brought on a battle somewhere between 
Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. Fortunately 
or unfortunately, in accordance with what would 



226 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

have been the outcome of such a plan at that season 
and under existing conditions, a storm of great vio- 
lence came on, almost as soon as the troops were on 
the march, and a presidential order was not necessary 
to put an end to the campaign. The mud did it. The 
sufferings of the troops engaged in what is known as 
the "Mud March" became proverbial. 

The order dated the 28th of January, 1863, remov- 
ing Burnside placed General Hooker in command. 
It also removed Generals Franklin, Smith, and Brooks. 
General Sumner at his own request was relieved at 
the same time and returned to his home in Syracuse, 
New York. He was the first commander of the Sec- 
ond Corps on its organization by the President, and 
had ever since remained with it, excepting during 
the short time he was in command of the Right Grand 
Division under Burnside. He was the oldest officer 
and the most striking figure in the army. He was 
known to every soldier in the corps. His white hair, 
eagle eye, erect form, and thin, eager face could not 
fail to attract the notice of one, no matter how large 
or distinguished the group about him. He was high- 
minded, loyal, laborious, faithful, almost rashly brave, 
and threw his whole soul and being into the cause 
without regard to personal consequences. It can well 
be said of General Edwin V. Sumner that he gave 
his life to the service of his country. He bade an affec- 
tionate farewell to his old corps, which he loved so 
well, and with disease already fastened upon him 
went home to die. 

After the battle the regiment remained for some 
time in its old camp. On the 19th of December, 
Colonel Lee resigned on account of ill health, and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey was commissioned as 
colonel, but he was never able to report for duty. For 



WINTER ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK 227 

a month it was kept busy with drills, inspections, and 
reviews. On the 15th of January, 1863, Sergeant 
Weston of Company A was buried with military honors. 

In recognition of the brilliant services of the regi- 
ment on the 11th and 13th of December, it was as- 
signed to duty as provost guard in the town of Fal- 
mouth. On the 25th of January, it left the bleak hill 
which had been its home, with much satisfaction, and 
found comfortable quarters in the vacant houses at 
Falmouth. Captain O. W. Holmes, Jr., was appointed 
provost marshal. 

New clothing was issued, and the men on duty 
were required to wear white gloves and paper collars. 
At guard mountings the neatest and best drilled sol- 
diers were selected for guards and orderlies at head- 
quarters, and there was great rivalry to secure these 
positions. 

The little town of Falmouth, in which we were to 
preserve the peace and have our homes for several 
months, was situated a mile and a quarter above 
Fredericksburg on the northerly bank of the Rap- 
pahannock at the entrance to a ravine which cuts 
through the Stafford Hills, and rising gradually for 
a mile or more becomes merged in the general level 
of the plateau. A little stream meanders through it, 
and what in Virginia is called a road, both lost at the 
river, the latter reappearing again on the other side 
and leading to Fredericksburg. The Rappahannock, 
running through the hills above in a narrow channel, 
broadens out into a wide stream in front of Falmouth, 
flowing over a rocky bed with so thin a sheet of water, 
that during the greater part of the year one can walk 
dry shod across, so thick are the stones bedded be- 
tween its shores; but it soon narrows, with a depth of 
flow sufiicient to float ships of moderate draft. On 



228 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the bank of the river was an old grist mill which was 
used as a guard house, and sometimes for prayer 
meetings, past which the road ran over the rough 
uneven floor of the valley, on either side of which 
could be counted two dozen of houses or more of va- 
rious sizes and construction, some abutting on the 
verge of the wagon ruts, and others farther back at 
all possible angles to its devious course. Out of it 
ran another road in an easterly direction, which finally 
surmounted the bluff, and came out near the Lacy 
house. Along it were scattered a few houses of more 
pretentious construction, in one of which, owned by 
Miss Dunbar, the field and staff oflficers took up their 
abode. Nearly opposite was the house of Mr. Duff 
Green, a name once potent in our political history. 

The bluffs upon either side of the ravine were 
crowned with our artillery, which commanded the 
beautiful and crescent-shaped valley on the other 
side, encircled by the hills that abut upon the river 
and run along its western edge to the rear of Fred- 
ericksburg. 

The duties assigned to the regiment were not 
arduous, and being comfortably housed, it was able 
to pass the coldest and most boisterous winter dur- 
ing the war under circumstances more favorable 
than was possible to the remainder of the army. 
The conduct of the men was so exemplary that 
oJBBcers of the regiment who have in recent years 
visited the little village found that among its citi- 
zens pleasant memories of their sojourning there 
still survived. Friendly relations were established 
and maintained between the pickets at the river, and 
the shallow ford furnished the way for frequent in- 
tercommunication. The usual exchange of news- 
papers was continued for some time, and many 



WINTER ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK 229 

pounds of coffee were exchanged on favorable terms 
for the always highly prized tobacco. The men gener- 
ally met in the middle of the stream, but often they 
passed to either bank, and, were always allowed to 
return. When orders were issued prohibiting this 
friendly intercourse and the provost guards were 
instructed to rigidly enforce them, a ready wit was 
at hand that kept the letter of the law and still reaped 
the profit and pleasure of this attractive commerce. 
In some way a code of signals was devised that was 
understood by either party, and the Confederate 
soldier in this way would notify the Union trader 
that he was to send over a cargo of tobacco at a 
given hour and expected a return of a given quantity 
of sugar or coffee. At the right time of wind and 
tide he placed his little craft, well loaded and fitted 
with sails, in the stream, and watched her until she 
was safely docked upon the other side. In due time 
he was sure to receive notice that his vessel would 
start upon her return voyage, in order that he might 
be on hand to receive her. 

Like all commercial transactions these ventures at 
times turned out badly, for sometimes a ship would 
be stranded on the rocks, and again, overturned and 
sunk during a squall. Notwithstanding such mis- 
adventures the lost ships were replaced and the line 
kept in operation until the cannon at Chancellors- 
ville put an end to all friendly relations. Just what 
was the amount of this trade and on which side the 
balance was, in absence of custom-house records, 
it is not possible to state, but all of the pipes in the 
regiment were well supplied by it for many months. 

The appointment of General Hooker was not re- 
ceived with enthusiasm except by the men of his old 
division. The army was not then in a mood to be 



230 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

enthusiastic about any person or any thing. With 
Fredericksburg fresh in memory, the "Mud March" 
but just ended, and sickness, from want of proper 
sanitary regulations enforced, fiUing every hospital, 
it was too much to expect of discouraged men, to 
display emotions other than those that arose natu- 
rally from their surroundings. Hooker made a cor- 
rect diagnosis of the disease with which the army 
was afflicted, and saw more clearly than any other 
the remedies necessary to restore it to vigorous 
health, and he at once commenced to apply them. 

The organizations known as the Grand Divisions 
were discontinued and the corps became again the 
highest unit in the army. Much has been said and 
written of the perfect organization of the Army of 
the Potomac under McClellan, but there were many 
defects which were now rectified. 

It was at this time that the question was often 
asked "Wlio ever saw a dead cavalry man.^" As 
yet this important arm of the service had performed 
but little useful service. It had been scattered among 
the different corps, and so placed that it could not 
exert its strength, and its possibility of usefulness 
was frittered away. It was brought together under 
Hooker, organized into a corps of three divisions, 
and from this date its history may be said to have 
commenced. 

It is not necessary to state how brilliant that his- 
tory soon became, and what an important part the 
cavalry took in the subsequent history of the war. 

The artillery also was reorganized, the batteries 
heretofore serving in divisions being consolidated 
into brigades, and one attached to each corps with a 
competent chief, which added much to its weight 
and efficiency. 



WINTER ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK 231 

The removal of the officers already mentioned 
resulted in many promotions which met with almost 
universal approval. General Reynolds became the 
permanent commander of the First Corps, Couch 
of the Second, Sickles of the Third, Meade of the 
Fifth, Sedgwick of the Sixth, and Stoneman of the 
Cavalry. During the winter the Eleventh and Twelfth 
Corps were made part of the Army of the Potomac, 
to which Howard and Slocum were respectively 
assigned as commanders. Soon after the removal 
of Burnside the Ninth Corps was sent to Newport 
News, and subsequently to Vicksburg; and after 
serving with credit in that memorable siege and sub- 
sequently in Kentucky and East Tennessee, it again 
came back to join hands with its old comrades in 
the final struggle and the final triumph. 

It was, however, to the Inspector General's De- 
partment that Hooker turned for the magic that was 
to bring the army back to life again. It was a magic 
wrought by persistent and systematic work, which 
in three months dispelled the clouds and restored 
the military spirit which was never dead but sleeping. 

General Francis A. Walker, who was in a position 
to know and had an eye to observe, says that dur- 
ing this period the volunteer batteries were brought 
to the highest state of perfection, and that the keen- 
est experts could not detect in the minutest detail of 
their equipment or in the skill of manoeuvring and 
handling of the guns any difference between them 
and batteries of the Regular Army. 

During these months the regiment, being upon 
special service, was in part exempt from the labors 
that fell upon the other commands. It patrolled 
a part of the river front in addition to other duties. 
It was as diligent in drill as any, and no labor was 



232 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

spared to keep up its efficiency. Remembering his 
experience in Fredericksburg on the 11th of Decem- 
ber, and thinking that there again or elsewhere 
similar occasions might occur, Captain Abbott in- 
structed and drilled the men in street fighting, not 
from Casey's Tactics, but in a way that his common 
sense and observation taught him would be most 
useful. Though full of pride for what they had done, 
the men came to think they could do the same work 
over again even more successfully. This kind of 
pride and confidence is what wins success. 

The routine of labor was rather monotonous, but 
there were happening from time to time incidents 
that were the occasion of merriment and furnished 
subjects of conversation when the men off duty 
were assembled in the evening around the fireplaces 
with which the houses of Virginia are alone equipped. 
One night the noted female spy, Belle Boyd, . was 
caught while crossing the river in a man's clothing, 
and was kept awhile in the guard house by the river, 
and then sent to Washington. Some of the unruly 
and sporting men of the army were in the habit of 
setting up gambling places along the banks of the 
river under the bluffs, which went under the queer 
name of "Sweat-boards." The provost guards in 
making raids upon these establishments at times 
met with experiences as novel and exciting as any 
recorded in the annals of the police department of 
a large city. For a time after pay day fortunes were 
won and lost with the same facility and in the same 
spirit as in the days before and since the war. 

The holidays came to bring their bit of mirth and 
pleasure. The New England soldier never forgot 
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas appealed to all. 
Turkeys, chickens, and geese, all cooked, came in 



WINTER ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK 233 

by express in boxes from home, and tasted sweeter 
and more tender with the pleasant memories they 
brought. On New Year's many a poor fellow re- 
ceived its greetings for the last time. Washington's 
Birthday was celebrated almost in sight of his early 
home. The night before there was a good old-fashioned 
Northern snowstorm, and in the morning six inches 
of snow whitened the ground and glistened under a 
bright sun. It was perhaps the merriest day of the 
year. Snowballs flew as thick as cannon-balls in a 
first-class battle, and more were hit by them than in 
any battle of the war. There was not a man in the 
regiment whose uniform did not show a white scar 
as the result of the combat. By the Irish St. Patrick 
will never be forgotten wherever they are, and as 
an offset to their doleful surroundings they put in 
an added zest to the celebration of their patron 
saint's natal day. The onlookers enjoyed the sport, 
if they did not share in the sentiment of the occa- 
sion, for the Irish nature is so charged with hilarity 
and sportive mirth, that its overflow was sufficient to 
infect the crowd like a contagious disease. 

Long and dreary as it was, the winter finally 
came to an end. The first notice of the changing 
season came, not in green grass and earliest flowers, 
but through the spring run of the fish into the river. 
The natives knew the day when the herring shot up 
the stream and when the shad were due. Food was 
so scarce in the Confederate camps during the win- 
ter of '63 that a new source of supply was received 
with gladness. Before the ice had ceased to form, 
the Confederate soldiers hauled their boats into the 
river, rowed out to the centre of the stream, and be- 
gan to cast their seines. From Falmouth down 
towards Fredericksburg the water was fairly alive 



234 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

with them. The men seemed to recognize a divided 
or disputed ownership in the Rappahannock, for 
they never passed beyond its centre, and seemed 
content with the wealth stored up for them in the 
western half. From morning until night they con- 
tinued at this, one of the primitive occupations of 
man, and their well-loaded boats gave evidence that 
they had been rewarded for their toil. Though 
the opposite shore was lined with pickets carrying 
loaded Tifles, there was no more thought of danger 
than if war and violence had -been banished from 
the earth. During the furious bombardment of 
Fredericksburg on the 11th of the previous Decem- 
ber, the men of the Twentieth and other regiments 
went constantly to the river to fill their canteens 
with water, in plain sight and within sure range of 
their rifles, but the Mississippians never fired a shot 
at them. It is pleasant to recall such incidents hap- 
pening amid the fierce passions excited by the Civil 
War, and to do what this record can to make their 
memory perpetual. It is worth noting here that 
the Twentieth five times in battle met face to face 
and came into deadly conflict with the gallant men 
of this famous Mississippi brigade, which was one 
of the very best in the Army of Northern Virginia. 

After the fish came the green grass and the flowers. 
The row of horse-chestnuts in front of the Dunbar 
mansion, the headquarters of the regiment, put out 
their leaves, the great elm at the corner threw a grate- 
ful shade over it, and the trees in the back yard, whose 
trunks were covered with English ivy, furnished a 
pleasant retreat during the heated hours of the day. 
Across the river the broad rich valley lay fallow and 
neglected, for the husbandmen were not willing to 
sow, not knowing who would reap the harvest. The 



WINTER ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK 235 

line of hills beyond, which had stood out naked and 
bare during the winter, scarred and disfigured by 
the earth dug up for trenches, and piled up into re- 
doubts, batteries, and fortifications of every kind, 
was again covered with the abundant foliage of its 
trees, which shut out from view all evidence of a 
hostile occupation and a warlike purpose. There 
are but few more attractive and pleasing rural scenes 
than that spread out in front of regimental head- 
quarters at Falmouth in the spring of 1863. 

During the winter, and before the spring cam- 
paign commenced, many changes took place in the 
regiment. On the 13th of April Colonel Palfrey re- 
signed and was succeeded by Colonel Paul J. Revere. 
Major Dreher was commissioned lieutenant-colonel 
on the 18th of December, but died of wounds on the 
1st of May, and Major George N. Macy was com- 
missioned as his successor. Captain Allen Shepard 
was transferred to the Invalid Corps. Captain Henry 
L. Abbott became major on the 1st of May. On 
the 1st of April Captain N. P. Hallowell left the 
regiment to become lieutenant-colonel of the Fifty- 
fourth Massachusetts regiment. Lieutenants Charles 
A. Whittier, Arthur R. Curtis, Herbert C. Mason, 
James Murphy, and William R. Riddle were pro- 
moted to be captains. William F. Perkins, Henry 
E. Wilkins, Thomas M. McKay, WilHam H. Walker, 
John W. Summerhays, Charles Cowgill, John Kelli- 
her. Lancing E. Hibbard were promoted from second 
to first lieutenants, and Sumner Paine was appointed 
second lieutenant from civil life, April 23, 1863. 

It was under Hooker that corps badges were in- 
troduced, the value of which attracted the eye of 
General Grant so quickly when he came East and 
assumed command of the army. 



CHAPTER XI 

CHANCELLORSVILLE 

With the coming of spring, warm weather, and 
dry roads, it was felt that the season for inactivity 
would soon be passed. The active temperament of 
Hooker had chafed under the restraint that winter 
imposed upon him, and he impatiently waited for 
the time when he could set in motion what he proudly 
called "the finest army on the planet." 

He had partially matured a plan of operations 
which has never been spoken of save in words of 
praise, and his fitness for a large command was 
soon to be put to the final test in carrying into exe- 
cution what appeared to him in his winter camp so 
easy of accomplishment. 

In the broad scheme which contemplated not 
only the defeat but the destruction of Lee's army, 
it was intended that the cavalry corps, which num- 
bered nearly twelve thousand, should play an impor- 
tant part. To break up the railroads and destroy 
the bridges between Fredericksburg and Richmond, 
and thus render it difficult if not impossible to 
feed the army, and at the same time prevent the 
return of Longstreet's corps, then operating in front 
of Suffolk, except at a foot pace; and, with these 
objects secured, to take up a position behind the 
Pamunkey River, and there hold Lee at bay until 
Hooker could come up and secure his destruction, 
was the brave task given it to accomplish. There 
was a wide field for doubt whether orders requiring 



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CHANCELLORSVILLE 237 

the fulfillment of these objects would not fail of be- 
ing carried out by a force only recently organized, 
which thus far had seldom crossed swords with the 
enemy. Though there were officers in the corps who 
later made their names famous, as yet they had had 
but little experience beyond that of escort and 
picket duty. To carry out these views it was 
necessary that the cavalry should start a week or 
more before any movement or threat of a move- 
ment should be made by the infantry, and General 
Stoneman set out on the 13th of April with instruc- j 
tions to make a wide detour around the enemy, 
passing by his left flank and then south for the ac- ^^ 
complishment of his mission. Unfortunately a vio- q_ 
lent rainstorm came on before he had reached the as 
upper fords of the Rappahannock, which rendered er 
them impassable and delayed the movement until 
the army took up its march two weeks later. The ^n 
part played by the cavalry in the campaign was in- of 
significant, resulting in slight damage to the enemy ad 
and serious injury to the horses. Grieving but not nt. 
disheartened at the misfortune attending the incep-^ed 
tion of the campaign, and foregoing the anticipated ted 
benefits to be derived by giving time for the cavalryter- 
to first make its blows felt. Hooker decided to sedges 
the army at once in motion. the 

For the purpose of deceiving the enemy and giviJeted. 
him a false notion as to where he was about to strike had 
Doubleday's division had been sent on the Slijone 
some twenty miles down the river to Port Conwa An 
and a few days later Wadsworth's division was se;han- 
to the same place. It is worthy of notice that at tl^g of 
point, or near it, Lee had expected Burnside ^ and 
cross in the previous November, and thither he h with 
sent Jackson's corps when recalled from the valley away 

those 



238 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

On the 27th of April the Fifth, Eleventh, and 
Twelfth Corps took up their march to Kelly's Ford, 
some twenty-seven miles above Fredericksburg, at 
which place they crossed without opposition during 
the night of the 28th and morning of the 29th. The 
three corps then marched down the river, crossing 
the Rapidan at Germanna and Ely's fords, and 
arrived at Chancellorsville in the evening of the 30th. 
The First and Third divisions of the Second Corps 
had been sent to the United States Ford, arriving 
at 2.30 p. M. of the 29th, with directions to cross as 
soon as the turning column should compel the enemy 
stationed there to retire. On the afternoon of the 
30th the two divisions crossed the Rappahannock 
and went into bivouac a mile east of Chancellors- 
ville. During the evening Hooker came over and 
established his headquarters at the Chandler house. 
Without a conflict and without undue hardship upon 
the men, he had placed four corps of the army, 
numbering about forty-six thousand men, on the 
left flank of the enemy, who up to this time had been 
unable to divine exactly what was going on around 
them. A despatch had been captured during the 
iay which showed that Lee was still at Fredericks- 
:)urg and in doubt as to where he was to meet the 
nemy. It is no wonder that Hooker appeared in 
isence of the army with a smiling face and in 
igh spirits. The misfortune attending upon the 
nding off of the cavalry was forgotten, and for the 
oment dreams of an easy conquest were indulged. 
To aid in the accomplishment of these happy re- 
ts, in addition to the movement of Doubleday's 
i Wadsworth's divisions to Port Conway pre- 
usly related, the First, Third, and Sixth Corps 
\ been left under command of Sedgwick, who, to 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 239 

give the impression of an attack upon the left, had 
thrown four bridges across the river at or near 
FrankHn's old crossing, and constructed works for 
their protection upon the right bank. This display 
of force by Sedgwick had induced Lee to order up 
Jackson's corps and place it in the position occupied 
on the 13th of the previous December. 

It was not until the evening of the 30th that he 
became convinced that the real attack was to come 
against his left, and that all other demonstrations 
were for the purpose of deception. While this turn- 
ing movement was going on. Hooker remained in 
his headquarters near Falmouth, and left its execu- 
tion to the corps commanders, though Slocum as 
senior oflScer exercised a general control whenever 
necessary. 

The campaign of Chancellorsville has often been 
spoken of as one of the finest pieces of strategy of 
the war. Up to the evening of the 30th nothing had 
occurred to interfere with its successful development. 
Each column had moved according to the prescribed 
orders and arrived at its destination at the appointed 
hour. Thus far it can be looked upon as a master- 
piece; but as yet it is like one of Burnside's bridges 
in front of Fredericksburg at three o'clock on the 
afternoon of December 11, only half completed. 
There is no record to show how far Hooker had 
wrought out in his own mind what was to be done 
after the preliminary stage had been passed. An 
order had been issued for Sickles to report at Chan- 
cellorsville with the Third Corps on the morning of 
May 1, but the officer carrying it lost his way, and 
it did not arrive until about noon. Sedgwick with 
forty thousand men was still twenty miles away 
below Falmouth, with no instructions except those 



240 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

which had been executed, save that he had been 
required to prevent a crossing to the Stafford shore, 
a very improbable contingency. On the afternoon 
of the 30th Hooker sent a message to him stating 
that he would take up the initiative on the following 
morning and expected to be on the heights west of 
Fredericksburg by noon, if only moderately opposed, 
and by evening, if strongly opposed. Sedgwick was 
expected to keep a sharp watch and, if he saw evi- 
dence of the enemy retreating, to push his command 
with all possible speed down the Bowling Green 
Road. Here reappears the illusion that possessed 
Burnside in December, that Lee was likely to avoid 
a battle and seek safety in flight. Hooker was fol- 
lowing in the footsteps of McClellan on the penin- 
sula, with the right wing of the army upon one side 
of the river and the left upon the opposite bank, 
but with this difference, that here a full day's march 
separated them, while McClellan had the two wings 
almost in contact. Strategy is something more than 
deceiving an enemy by feigned movements and thus 
enabling a commander to place a portion of his army 
in a favorable position for battle: it includes a cor- 
rect sense of a proportion of forces which enables 
him to have a sujQBcient number at the chosen point 
of attack to overcome all resistance. If Napoleon 
in the Italian campaign of 1800 had appeared at 
Marengo, with Desaix's division on the north side of 
the Po, what is considered one of his most brilliant 
strategic movements would have passed into history 
without praise as a memorable failure. Here the 
first fault of Hooker appears. With the First Corps 
to strengthen his right at Chancellorsville the battle 
could have had no other than a favorable termina- 
tion. 



CHANCELLORS VILLE 24 1 

It is difficult to understand upon what grounds 
Hooker took the complacent view which he did of 
the situation on the afternoon of the 30th of April. 
In reply to a message informing him of reenforce- 
ments arriving from Richmond, he said that this 
was pleasing news, as his victory would be so much 
the greater. This would indicate that the contin- 
gency of failure had not even been considered. The 
men were in as cheerful and hopeful a mood as their 
commander. A presentiment of victory had taken 
possession of them, as often happens when the early 
stages of a campaign are accomplished easily and 
without hindrance. 

While the army was thus hopefully resting during 
the night of the 30th, there was only a part of Ander- 
son's division in front of it, nearly three miles away 
at Tabernacle Church, busily at work throwing up 
breastworks. Lee, at last, having a clear view of the 
situation, set his army in motion, and at eight o'clock 
on the following morning McLaws joined Anderson, 
and at eleven Jackson arrived with his corps. With 
the exception of one brigade at Banks's Ford and 
one brigade left at Fredericksburg by McLaws, 
there were five divisions ready to take up a line to 
oppose our further progress. General Lee was more 
disturbed by the position in which he was placed 
than at any previous time in his military career. 
He recognized the point that had been gained upon 
him and the disparity in numbers of the two armies. 
In a letter of this date to President Davis he lamented 
the absence of Longstreet, and intimated the pos- 
sibility of his being compelled to retire towards 
Richmond. Estimating correctly the strength of 
the divided forces of the enemy, he left about ten 
thousand men under Early to oppose Sedgwick, 



242 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

and with forty-five thousand stood ready to wrestle 
with Hooker as best he could. 

On the 1st of May it was light enough for active 
operations by five o'clock. General Warren, the chief 
engineer, rode out with a small force of cavalry on 
the turnpike about three miles, without, opposition, 
nearly to Tabernacle Church, and reported the re- 
sults of his reconnoissance to Hooker. With this 
exception the army remained inactive until after 
eleven o'clock. A corps commander visiting head- 
quarters the previous evening noticed symptoms 
of vacillation and uncertainty, which show themselves 
in the pinch of a crisis when a person is weighted 
with responsibilities greater than his strength can 
bear. 

There are three roads upon which the troops were 
resting leading to Fredericksburg, nearly parallel 
with each other, known as the River, Turnpike, and 
Plank roads. The expectations expressed to Sedg- 
wick the previous day must have been given up, for 
Fredericksburg was eleven miles distant, and the 
order directing Meade to send two divisions down 
the River Road, Couch to move on the Turnpike, 
and Slocum by the Plank Road, was dated at eleven 
o'clock of the 1st of May. Meade gained without 
difficulty a position beyond Mott Run within a mile 
of Banks's Ford, and Couch and Slocum had se- 
cured a ridge running at right angles to their line 
of march something more than a mile from the 
Chandler house, when to their surprise they received 
orders to retire and take up their positions of the 
evening previous. 

That accomplished officer. General Warren, argued 
in vain with his chief against the fatal consequences 
of this step. Meade was less than a mile from Banks's 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 243 

Ford, and the other corps held a commanding position 
with open ground in front, which every reason re- 
quired should be held. General Couch was so much 
impressed with the mistake about to be committed, 
that he delayed long enough the execution of the 
order to send back an oflScer of his staff to express 
to the commander-in-chief his views and the con- 
current sentiments of the other corps commanders, 
who returned with a peremptory order to withdraw. 
General Meade, standing on the pike in the midst 
of a group of oflficers, bringing down his clenched fist 
on the palm of his left hand, exclaimed with a good 
deal of emotion, " My God, if we can't hold the top of 
a hill, we certainly can't hold the foot!" Slocum first 
commenced retiring on the right, and was on his way 
to Chancellorsville when a note was sent to Couch 
permitting him to remain until five o'clock, but it was 
no longer possible for him to so do, for there was then 
no supporting force on the Plank Road. It is indeed 
difficult to conceive with what object in view such a 
note could have been sent, for if the battle was not 
to be fought in that position, the sooner the army was 
brought back to the new line, the longer would be 
the time for throwing up works and putting them 
in a state of defense. It can only be looked upon as 
one of those compromising actions that emanate 
from a mind in a state of doubt and uncertainty. 

The enemy was already pressing his forces for- 
ward, and the withdrawal was effected with some 
difficulty but without serious fighting and loss. 

As soon as Jackson arrived at Tabernacle Church, 
he at once directed all work upon intrenchments to 
cease, and began putting his forces in line for the 
purpose of making an attack. His skirmishers were 
pushed forward, sharp firing commenced, and an 



244 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

earnest effort was made to develop our line and dis- 
cover its weak points, if such existed. The falling 
back of the army was a surprise to him as well as 
to the corps commanders, and the ridge so recently 
occupied by the Federal troops was quickly and 
eagerly seized and covered with artillery, which for 
two days played an important and deadly part in 
the battle. 

Hooker, brave and resolute when far away from 
the enemy, began to hesitate as the opposing forces 
began to approach near to each other, and in an evil 
hour threw away all the fruits of his strategy by tak- 
ing up a defensive position in the Wilderness and pass- 
ing over the initiative to General Lee. 

The hand that penned the message to Sedgwick 
a few hours before, that he would be on the heights 
west of Fredericksburg by noon, if moderately op- 
posed, and by evening, if strongly opposed, without 
attempting to find out whether the opposition would 
be of either character, now wrote to General Butter- 
field that he had countermanded the attack at two 
o'clock by reason of news received from the other 
side of the river, and at the same time ordered the 
First Corps to report by a night march at Chancel- 
lorsville. All of this presents one of those psychologi- 
cal phenomena of which many examples have been 
seen in the past, which it is hardly necessary to fol- 
low out to its last analysis. The records do not show 
the receipt of any news from *'the other side of the 
river" or anywhere else that did or could have in- 
fluenced Hooker in the slightest degree in chang- 
ing from an aggressive to a passive attitude. It 
came from within and not from without. All the 
despatches and orders sent to and from headquarters 
during the campaign may be found in Volume 25 of 



CHANCELLORSVILLE M5 

the ** Official Records of the Union and Confederate 
Armies," and the situation as revealed by them 
points to a forward movement as the one path to 
success. 

Under the guidance of Captain Payne of the 
Corps of Engineers, the troops were placed in posi- 
tion upon their withdrawal from the advanced line, 
and at once commenced throwing up breastworks, 
slashing timber in front, constructing abatis, and in 
other ways making ready for the expected conflict. 
Meade, with his left near the river, facing east towards 
Fredericksburg, connected with French's division on 
the right, who covered the space between the Fifth 
Corps and the Turnpike; Hancock's division was 
about a quarter of a mile in front of French, hold- 
ing the ground between the Turnpike and the Plank 
Road; the Twelfth Corps faced south, making nearly 
a right angle with Hancock's line, and the Twelfth, 
Third, and Eleventh Corps connected in the order 
named and extended the general line westerly beyond 
Dowdall's Tavern. In a general way it can be said 
that the army held two sides of a square, the side 
facing east toward the position then occupied by 
the enemy consisting of the Fifth and two divisions 
of the Second Corps, and the other facing south of 
the three corps already named. 

The reason for presenting this vicious angle to 
the enemy probably was a fear, lest, by continuing 
the line to the south, in the event of Lee succeeding 
in breaking through the centre on the Turnpike or 
Plank Road, the right wing would be cut off from 
its line of retreat and might be captured. If this had 
been done, however, the real danger which it did 
suffer would have been avoided, for the road over 
which the flank march of Jackson was made would 



246 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

have been covered, and a front attack or retreat 
would have been the necessary outcome of the situ- 
ation. 

During the night the two armies were less than 
half a mile from each other, and all through its weary 
and anxious hours the sound of the axe was heard 
felling the forest in front of every division. 

Lee having been unable to find any point against 
which he was willing to make an assault, had sent 
word to Stuart to reconnoitre on the left and make 
report of what he might discover in that direction. 
Early on the morning of the second, while Lee and 
Jackson were sitting on two cracker boxes near the 
Plank Road, the enterprising Stuart appeared and re- 
ported that Howard's right was unguarded, and indi- 
cated the roads by which a position could be gained 
upon which a column could be formed for an attack. 
General Fitz Hugh Lee informed the writer that the 
suggestion of the movement which was made in con- 
sequence of this report did not come from Jackson, 
as has been generally claimed, but that General 
Lee himself immediately ordered him to make it 
as soon as Stuart's report was received. 

Rash and hazardous as it was to divide a small 
army and separate its two wings by a distance of 
seven miles in presence of a force superior in num- 
bers, in the heart of a wilderness with narrow and 
dijBScult roads, it was an enterprise just suited to the 
genius of Jackson, and he entered upon it with alacrity 
and that confidence one feels who sees clearly his 
way to the end. There was one point on his line of 
march where the column was observed by the men 
of the Third Corps, and Sickles moved forward two 
divisions for the purpose of attacking it. Barlow's 
brigade of the Eleventh Corps was sent to him, and 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 247 

was advanced to the right as a support to that flank. 
Owing to the density of the woods Sickles did not 
reach the road followed by Jackson until he was well 
on his way, though he captured the Twenty-third 
Georgia regiment, which had been left behind for 
observation, and drove off to another road further 
south a part of his wagon train. 

Hooker construed the flank march into a flight of 
Lee's army. At 2.30 p. m. he issued a circular order 
to the corps commanders to replenish their supplies 
of provisions and ammunition and be in readiness 
to move at an early hour the next morning. Later 
he informed General Butterfield, his chief of staff, 
then at Falmouth, that Lee's army was in flight and 
that two of Sickles's divisions were among his trains. 
Sedgwick was informed of this pleasing news and 
ordered to be prepared for a rapid pursuit of the 
enemy. In the forenoon General Hooker had ridden 
round his lines and directed Slocum and Howard to 
strengthen their positions, which appeared to him 
ill prepared for defense, as an attack on the right 
might be looked for. And yet, when the movement 
necessary to be made to realize this expectation, was 
well under way it presented to his mind only the 
ear-marks of a retreat. That a commander with 
full knowledge and much experience of the com- 
bative temperament of Lee, who had never yet but 
once turned his back to his foe, who had taken up a 
position on the Antietam with less than a single corps 
with the resolute purpose of meeting in battle all 
the forces of McClellan, and who had the recent ex- 
perience of Fredericksburg to inspirit and give confi- 
dence to his troops, should now form the opinion 
that he was in full retreat, and that, too, towards 
Gordonsville and not in the direction of Richmond, 



248 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

is one of the most curious and inexplicable halluci- 
nations to be found in all the records of war. 

The orders and instructions based upon this delu- 
sion had scarcely reached their destination before it 
was dispelled by a rude shock that put the Eleventh 
Corps into a rout and panic that for a while seemed to 
threaten the safety of the whole army. Such scenes 
of confusion and tumult as covered the Chancellors- 
ville plateau had never before been witnessed, nor 
were they again repeated on any battlefield. General 
Morgan, so well known as the accomplished chief of 
staff of the Second Corps, said that "the stampede of 
the Eleventh Corps was something curious and won- 
derful to behold. I have seen horses and cattle stam- 
peded on the plains, blinded apparently by fright, 
rush over wagons, rocks, streams, any obstacle in the 
way ; but never, before or since, saw I thousands of men 
actuated seemingly by the same unreasoning fear that 
takes possession of a herd of animals. As the crowd 
of fugitives swept by the Chancellor house, the great- 
est efforts were made to check them; but those only 
stopped who were knocked down by the swords of 
staff officers or the sponge-staffs of Kirby's battery, 
which was drawn up across the road leading to the 
ford. Many of them ran right on down the turnpike 
toward Fredericksburg through our line of battle and 
picket line and into the enemy's line." 

By the heroic exertions of officers and men not dis- 
turbed by the wild flight about them, the progress of 
Jackson's corps was for a time held in check, and 
fortunately night coming on put an end to the battle. 

Hooker in perplexity and doubt, knowing that 
something must be done, but not seeing clearly the 
right thing to do, directed his engineers to lay out a 
new line half a mile in the rear, and drew in the army 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 249 

nearer to Chancellorsville, but still covering it. Hazel 
Grove, the key to the whole field, was abandoned. 
In the most vicious battle line ever formed, with the 
two wings of the army presenting their backs to each 
other, the right facing to the west and the left to the 
east, the short interval between the two filled by a part 
of the Twelfth Corps facing south. Hooker waited 
for the coming day. 

With daylight the battle was renewed and contin- 
ued with great fury and with varying fortunes until 
ten o'clock, when, the line being broken, the troops 
were withdrawn to the rear and took up the position 
that had been marked out by the engineers during the 
night. While the contest was going on Reynolds, who 
had come up during the night, was on the road to 
Ely's Ford with the First Corps within rifle shot of the 
flank of Jackson's corps, and remained there without 
orders and without firing a shot, while Meade, who 
was near at hand with the Fifth Corps, was practically 
unused for the same reason. 

When the campaign commenced. Gibbon's division 
of the Second Corps, to which the Twentieth belonged, 
was occupying the bare hills about Falmouth ; and 
as the camps were plainly visible from the opposite 
side of the river, it was deemed advisable that it should 
not then be moved. The regiment was still doing 
provost duty in the town, and continued in this quiet 
routine while the movement of the army was taking 
place. It was a novel experience to remain behind 
while operations on a great scale were going on, but 
it cannot be said that there was any complaining at 
this lot. On the 1st of May it heard the first shots 
come rumbling down the river, giving notice there of 
the successful turning movement, and the approach 
of that part of the army which had taken part in it. 



250 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

All day during the second it heard the rumble and 
roar of a great battle, and yet no call had been made 
that indicated the need of reenforcements. 

At nine o'clock on the evening of the second, General 
Warren was sent with an order to General Sedgwick 
to cross the Rappahannock, take possession of every- 
thing in Fredericksburg, and at once move out on 
the Plank Road to Chancellorsville, and to appear 
on the rear of Lee's army on the morning of the third. 
General Gibbon's division was made subject to his 
command. 

General Warren arrived at the headquarters of the 
Sixth Corps a little before midnight. The corps was 
then on the right bank of the river nearly three miles 
below Fredericksburg. The distance to be covered 
by this order was fifteen miles. As the order directed 
him to cross the river, it is to be inferred that Hooker 
supposed that he was still opposite the city. It would 
have just been possible for Sedgwick to have com- 
plied with his instructions literally, if it had been day- 
light, the roads known, and no enemy had intervened. 
To wake an army of twenty thousand men from sleep 
and set it in motion is a matter requiring some time, 
and the corps only made its entrance into Fredericks- 
burg a few minutes before the hour it was expected 
to be at Chancellorsville. Early's division was near 
by, and his pickets surrounded it from river to river. 
Its progress was necessarily slow. There were two 
streams to cross, and its whole journey was opposed 
in front and on one flank by the forces sent out for 
the purpose. 

General Gibbon was ordered to lay a bridge by the 
Lacy house during the night and cross over in season 
to join hands with the Sixth Corps. The regiment 
broke camp soon after midnight, and proceeded over 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 251 

the same road to the same spot occupied on the 11th 
of the previous December. Guarding the right bank 
were the same riflemen from Mississippi whose ac- 
quaintance was made on that day. The pontoons 
were ready to be shd into the water, and everything 
indicated a repetition of the experiences of the former 
occasion. The regiment was designated to cross over 
in boats and drive the enemy from the city. What 
had been done once it was thought could be more 
easily done a second time, and the men were cheerful 
and ready for the work. While waiting for suflScient 
light to see with some distinctness, the approach of 
Sedgwick's column compelled the pickets to withdraw 
and rendered the task of laying the bridge a simple 
one for the engineers. 

When daylight was full, the old familiar objects 
stood out in all distinctness. The Lacy house was 
still standing. This fine old colonial mansion with a 
front of a hundred feet along the bluff, commanding 
a wide and beautiful view of the valley, surrounded 
by venerable oaks, with gardens dropping down in 
terraces to the river, had been known for a century in 
Virginia as Chatham. Here, as at White House, Wash- 
ington met and courted Martha Custis. Here, also, 
seventy-five years ago or more, one summer evening 
Robert E. Lee and Miss Custis were sitting on the 
ground under the great oak that stood on the upper 
terrace near the mansion, and then and there plighted 
their troth to each other to become husband and wife. 
During the battle of December 13 General Lee often 
turned his glass towards Chatham to see if the tree, 
associated in memory with the happiest and most 
important event in his life, was being injured.^ Now 

^ These facts were communicated to the writer by the Rev. Dr. 
James P. Smith of Richmond, who received them from the lips of 



252 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the fences were gone, the trees cut down, the gardens 
ruined, and the mansion deserted. The smoke rising 
over the city from the chimneys indicated that the 
houses were occupied, and the coming again of a hos- 
tile army was probably quite unexpected. 

General Sedgwick came over in a boat to the Staf- 
ford shore, and held a conference with General Gib- 
bon. As soon as the bridge was laid the division 
crossed over and again occupied the city. During 
the winter the thousand rents made in it had been 
repaired, but the patching was plainly visible. 

At this time Newton's division was in line along 
Caroline Street parallel to the river, Howe's division 
was on the south side of Hazel Run, and Brooks's 
division was three miles away in front of Hamilton's 
Crossing. 

Sedgwick had been informed that only Early's di- 
vision was on his front, but Barksdale's brigade was 
also there, and Wilcox's brigade was on the way from 
Banks's Ford to join him, — in all about ten thousand 
men. 

The events of the 13th of December had made a 
deep impression on the minds of all our officers, and 
doubtless the memory of them tended somewhat to 
produce caution, and prevent that quickness of de- 
cision and action which under other circumstances 
might have been adopted. The way to Chancellors- 
ville was over the Plank Road, and as the Marye 
Heights commanded it, it was necessary to carry them 
in some way before the line of march could be taken 
up. It was finally decided that Gibbon's division 
should move up the river road and attempt to turn 
them from the right; Howe's division should operate 

General Lee himself. Dr. Smith married the daughter of Major Lacy, 
the owner of Chatham. 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 253 

on the left, while Newton held the centre covering 
the Plank Road. It was expected by the extension of 
the three divisions in a single line that the enemy 
would make corresponding movements along the hills, 
which would allow them to present only a small force 
at any one point. These expectations were wholly 
or in part realized. Gibbon had not proceeded far 
from the city before Hays's brigade was in motion 
and kept an even pace with him, and when he halted 
and was ready to move forward to attack, his whole 
front was covered, but with a force less than his own. 
Gibbon promptly moved the division for the purpose 
of carrying out his instructions, but had not proceeded 
far before he came to the canal, from which the bridges 
had been removed, rendering a crossing impossible. 
During the advance the troops had been subjected 
to a sharp fire from the artillery on the hills, and as 
nothing was to be gained by remaining stationary in 
front of an impassable stream, he withdrew under 
the partial cover of a rise of ground and ordered the 
men to lie down. It was here that Captain Oliver W. 
Holmes, Jr., was wounded for the third time. 

General Howe on the left had met with no better 
success. He had not made much progress toward the 
front before he discovered a considerable force as- 
sembled on his left, and he was obliged to halt and 
turn to ward off this danger. 

It was now ten o'clock, and at the rate of progress 
thus far made it would require two days to reach 
Chancellorsville. The orders were urgent and every 
motive called for action. Warren, the representative 
of Hooker, reminded Sedgwick of the expectations 
of his chief, and later, before the Committee on the 
Conduct of the War, expressed the opinion that the 
commander of the Sixth Corps was unnecessarily 



254 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

dilatory. It is not clear that his judgment was cor- 
rect. 

As it was impossible to expect anything aggres- 
sive from Gibbon's division on the right, he was di- 
rected to hold his position, for as long as he remained 
there, it was not likely that Hays's brigade would 
be withdrawn from the front. From Newton's divi- 
sion two columns were organized, consisting of four 
regiments each, and another brigade commanded 
by Colonel Hiram Burnham of the Sixth Maine 
was formed in line on the left of the Telegraph Road 
directly in front of the famous stone wall. At a given 
signal the whole division moved forward. The right 
column, led by Colonel Spear, was met by a destruc- 
tive fire from infantry and some howitzers, and was 
broken. Colonel Spear being killed. The other, under 
command of Colonel Johns, who was seriously 
wounded, was twice broken, but being finally rallied 
by Colonel Walsh, it rushed up and secured the 
heights. Colonel Burnham carried his men without 
a halt or break over the stone wall and up Marye's 
Hill, and a few days later was made a brigadier-gen- 
eral. During the assault not a shot was fired; the 
bayonet alone was relied upon and the work was 
done. 

Soon after Howe's division on the other side of 
Hazel Run carried the works on its front in the same 
gallant style. A wide space was thus cleared, and 
Early's forces retreated in much disorder to the right 
and left. A thousand prisoners were captured, just 
about the number of our killed and wounded, in the 
space of five minutes. Thus quickly were the Marye 
and Willis Heights carried, by a single division, which 
had once baffled every effort of the whole Army of 
the Potomac. General Newton said that if there had 



CHANCELLORSVILLE ^55 

been a hundred more men on the hills they could not 
have been taken. So narrow is the margin in war be- 
tween victory and defeat. 

The confusion and disorganization of the forces 
incident to the assault were considerable, but the 
determination of Sedgwick to bring Brooks's divi- 
sion, which had been left all the while at the lower 
bridge, and put them in the lead, was a serious error, 
if expedition in any event could have resulted favor- 
ably to that part of the battle assigned to the Sixth 
Corps. The Marye Heights were carried at about 
half past ten, and it was nearly three o'clock in the 
afternoon before the column was in motion. 

This delay enabled McLaws to seize the strong 
position at Salem Church with his division and one 
brigade of Anderson's, the other two being sent to 
hold the junction of the Mine and River roads. It 
also gave time for Early to recover from the shock 
of his rude handling. Hays's brigade, which had been 
thrown off to the right, passed round the front of 
the Sixth Corps and rejoined its division, and Wilcox, 
at first retreating toward the River Road, finally 
joined McLaws at the church. 

It was after four o'clock when Sedgwick, having 
formed his line in front of McLaws, gave the order 
to Brooks to attack, which failed for lack of support, 
though the church and schoolhouse were taken and 
the enemy's line was at first carried. Brooks's divi- 
sion lost fifteen hundred men. Newton's division 
was formed for a second assault to be supported by 
Howe, but the latter had gone into camp, and for this 
reason further operations for the day were suspended. 

Hooker, with his army posted on the new line, heard 
the battle being waged by Sedgwick, but gave no 
orders pointing to cooperation and assistance, though 



^56 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

it was evident that he was being opposed by forces 
that had been sent from his own front. 

Sedgwick, having been informed that he could 
expect no aid from the main army, was compelled 
to look to the safety of his corps. Early had already 
taken possession of the heights in rear of Fredericks- 
burg, which were guarded only by a picket line from 
Gibbon's division, and other troops had come up 
to reinforce McLaws. He was now in a position of 
much danger. The road to Fredericksburg was no 
longer open, and he was threatened from three sides. 
Fortunately General Benham had thrown over a 
pontoon bridge at Scott's Dam, a mile below Banks's 
Ford, and Owen's brigade of Gibbon's division had 
crossed to the right bank. To extricate the corps 
from its perilous position required a cool head and 
a skillful hand. Howe's division was formed front- 
ing towards Fredericksburg to oppose Early, Brooks 
was placed in line in front of the Plank Road in 
touch with Anderson, while Newton faced McLaws 
in the direction of Chancellorsville. In this position 
the opposing forces remained during the greater 
part of the fourth, with continuous skirmishing, while 
the enemy was preparing to break through on New- 
ton's front and the left of Howe with the purpose 
of cutting off the one avenue of retreat. At six o'clock 
the signal was given, and Early delivered his assault 
in columns of battalions against the left of Howe, 
and McLaws on the right of Brooks, both of which 
were repulsed with very considerable loss, the brigades 
of Hays and Hoke being broken up and in much con- 
fusion. The Eighth Louisiana was captured. Soon 
after Sedgwick withdrew his forces to the right bank 
without molestation. 

When the Sixth Corps took up its line of march 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 257 

towards Chancellorsville Gibbon was left with two 
brigades to hold the city. The third, commanded by 
Owen, had previously been sent to Banks's Ford to 
protect that crossing, where he rendered important 
assistance to Sedgwick on the fourth. 

It was not expected that Gibbon with his small 
force would be able to hold the heights west of the 
city in case of an attempt to retake them, and they 
were only guarded by a picket line. The duty as- 
signed him was to hold the town and preserve the 
bridges in the event of the Sixth Corps finding it 
necessary to return by that route. 

During the night of the third Early brushed away 
our pickets and extended his forces along the hills 
to the river above Falmouth. There was then a 
force of considerable strength between Sedgwick 
and Gibbon, which gave great anxiety to the latter, 
not only for his own safety, but likewise for that of 
the Sixth Corps. With the detail necessary at the 
bridges and for a patrol of the city, the force was 
inadequate for any aggressive work. It was feared 
that it might be necessary to abandon the town and 
take up the bridges. No such purpose was declared 
or contemplated, but it was clearly within the realm 
of probabilities. The situation caused much anxiety, 
and extreme watchfulness was exercised in every 
direction. The whole force was required to form a 
thin line from Hazel Run across the plain to the 
river above. An attack might be expected along 
the Bowling Green Road on the left, on the river 
road from the right, or directly in front. The Twen- 
tieth was charged with the holding of that part of 
the ground from Hazel Run along the railroad as 
far as their small numbers would reach. At daylight 
on the morning of the fourth the enemy began to press 



258 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

up against our picket line, and during the day made 
more than one rather determined effort to break 
through, but they were thrown back without much 
diflBculty. There was some anxiety for the safety 
of the right, where some troops were stationed that 
were not regarded as fully reliable, for the loss of a 
single position would have rendered the situation 
extremely hazardous to all. It was the opinion of 
all the officers that they never had a more trying 
experience than during the time between the loss 
of the heights and the withdrawal to the Stafford 
shore, which took place in accordance with orders 
after the retreat of the Sixth Corps by way of Fred- 
ericksburg was no longer possible. 

Hooker having remained during the afternoon of 
the third and the whole of the fourth and fifth in the 
new position taken up after the breaking of his lines 
in front of the Chancellor house, against the advice of 
a majority of the corps commanders given in a coun- 
cil of war to which the question was submitted, or- 
dered a retreat; and when Lee was ready to make 
an assault on the morning of the sixth, he found no 
enemy in his front, for the Army of the Potomac 
was on the opposite side of the river wending its 
way back to its old camps. 

The casualties were as follows : — 

Company D. Killed: Sergeant Charles H. Bixby. Wounded: 
Privates John Lynch, Hugh O'Harran. 

Company F. Wounded: Captain James Murphy; First Ser- 
geant John Ronan; Privates Wilham Meaney, Terrence 
Wade. 

Company G. Wounded : Captain O. W. Holmes, Jr. ; Privates 
James Hayes, George Lawson, Alonzo T/. Stetson. 

Company H. Killed : Private Wilham J. Smith. 

Company I. Wounded: Corporal Samuel C. Crocker; Pri- 
vates Thomas Aheam, Barzillar Crowell. 



CHANCELLORSVILLE 259 

The defeat at Chancellorsville in no way affected 
the army as did the battle of Fredericksburg. The 
Sixth Corps looked with pride upon its achievements 
in carrying Marye Heights and waging an even 
battle at Salem Heights. The First and Fifth corps 
were merely lookers-on at Chancellorsville, if such 
a term may be used with reference to a field where 
nothing could be seen but a wilderness of brush 
and wood. The Second, Third, and Twelfth corps 
rightly felt that they had saved the army from a great 
disaster by their heroic exertions after the rout of 
the Eleventh Corps by Jackson's flank attack; and 
though finally ordered to retire, it was with the con- 
sciousness that nothing of dishonor attached to them. 
In the discussions that went on in the tents and 
around the camp-fires the men, though disappointed, 
saw nothing that discouraged them, for they did not 
know the real cause of their discomfiture. It was for 
them a battle in the dark where the real fault was 
concealed from their view. The cheerful conclusion 
was reached that but for the failure of the Eleventh 
Corps victory would have been won, and that, on 
the whole, the honors were not far from even; for 
though our people had lost the most men, Lee had 
lost his right arm in the death of Jackson, which 
brought the enemy's mortality list at least to an equal- 
ity with our own. For once the higher officers and 
the men reasoned on different lines, for the former, 
being in possession of facts and circumstances which 
were unknown to the latter, were able to take a 
broader view of the battle and drew the correct con- 
clusion as to why it was that they were retreating 
to the north instead of moving to the south. 

Whatever may be the final judgment as to the qual- 
ifications of General Hooker for high command, there 



260 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

can be no divided opinion as to the value of his ser- 
vices in the reorganization of the Army of the Po- 
tomac and bringing into it a new hfe and spirit during 
the winter of 1863. For this alone he is entitled to all 
the honor conferred by his native State in the beautiful 
statue erected to his memory by the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts in the State House grounds. It is 
only those who were connected with the army, and 
were familiar with its inner life, who know and fully 
appreciate the magic influence wrought upon it dur- 
ing the short period of his command, — an influ- 
ence so great and potent in every arm of the service 
that those who witnessed his shortcomings in the 
critical moments of a later date take pleasure in cheer- 
fully bearing witness to it. 

During the campaign the Federal loss was 16,792 
and the Confederate 12,764. Chancellorsville ranks 
third in magnitude of the battles during the war, 
measured by Federal losses, being exceeded only by 
Gettysburg and the Wilderness. 



CHAPTER XII 

GETTYSBURG 

For more than a month after Chancellorsville the 
army remained inactive, and no one can tell how 
many more months it would so have continued if the 
initiative had been left to General Hooker. There is 
no record of his having devised or suggested any plan 
of operations, and apparently he was quite content 
with being left undisturbed in his cantonments. 

In the minds of the Confederate chieftains, the 
defeat of Pemberton's army, the commencement of 
the siege of Vicksburg, and the almost certainty of its 
ultimate fall, with the loss of many thousand men, 
created a necessity for some counter-stroke to offset 
the depression which would follow upon so great a 
disaster. To have an Austerlitz prepared to follow 
close upon a Trafalgar is a piece of strategy in the 
great game of war that strikes the imagination and 
wins for its author merited applause. For this there 
was no one to look to but General Lee. His active 
mind and impulsive temperament responded readily 
to such a call. As he could not hope successfully to 
assail Hooker in his strong position between the 
Rappahannock and the Potomac, there was nothing 
left but to draw him out from his defenses and com- 
pel him to battle on more hopeful ground. For this 
purpose he started Longstreet northward on the 3d 
of June upon what finally developed into the cam- 
paign culminating at Gettysburg. 



262 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

For some days previous rumors had been circulat- 
ing through the camps that another invasion of the 
North was to be undertaken upon a larger scale than 
the previous one, but nothing indicating such a move- 
ment had as yet been revealed. On the 5th of June 
Sedgwick was detached for the purpose of guarding 
United States and Banks's fords. Two days later 
Pleasanton was ordered to make a reconnoissance 
with all the available cavalry in the direction of Cul- 
peper Court House, to ascertain, if possible, the real 
purposes of the enemy. He came in contact with 
Stuart at Fleetwood Hill, where a cavalry battle was 
fought which revealed the presence of the Confederate 
infantry, and made known to Hooker that the inva- 
sion was well under way. The prompt appearance 
of Pleasanton with all the horsemen at his command 
is believed to have deterred Lee from following a line 
east of the Blue Ridge, and forced him to take his 
route down the Shenandoah Valley. But whether 
from chance or necessity, so secretly and rapidly was 
the movement carried out that the advance under 
Ewell appeared before Winchester on the 13th, while 
Hill was confronting and detaining Hooker upon the 
Rappahannock. The two wings of Lee's army were 
then a hundred miles apart. 

Though Hooker was desirous of attacking Hill or 
interposing between the widely separated portions 
of the enemy, he was required by the government, 
which no longer reposed full confidence in him, and 
perhaps feared that his timidity at Chancellorsville 
might be followed by acts of rashness, so to ma- 
noeuvre the army as to keep it constantly as a shield 
between Lee and Washington. The movements of 
each corps from this time on to the battle of Get- 
tysburg were in accordance with, and admirably 



GETTYSBURG 263 

adapted to carry out, this general order of the War 
Department. 

The Second Corps, to which the Twentieth be- 
longed, acted for the most part as a rear guard during 
the long manoeuvring and marching which followed. 
On the 15th it marched to Stafford Court House, 
which was in flames, and after a rest of two hours 
proceeded to Acquia Creek, where it bivouacked for 
the night. The day was very hot, and many men fell 
out from the ranks from fatigue at the long march. 
There were several cases of sunstroke, and the am- 
bulances were filled with those unable to keep up. 
This was a common experience after a long period 
of inactivity. 

The next day was also hot and the roads were dusty, 
but that night we encamped on the banks of the Oc- 
coquan, where there was fine bathing in clear running 
water, which greatly refreshed the jaded men, and 
thousands forgot their fatigue in this long remem- 
bered bath. On the 17th the Twentieth reached San- 
ger's Station, where it remained over the 19th, reach- 
ing Centerville the next day. On the 21st we passed 
over the battlefield of Bull Run and arrived at Thor- 
oughfare Gap in the evening. 

A rest of four days restored the strength and made 
bright the spirits of every one, and as we started off 
again on the 25th the muscles had become well tem- 
pered, and marching was no longer wearisome. As 
the corps left Thoroughfare Gap, Stuart started 
on his famous raid in rear of the army, which de- 
prived Lee of the service of his cavalry, and caused 
him much inconvenience during the campaign. At 
Haymarket Stuart opened fire on the second division, 
then in the rear, killing and wounding several men. 
Zook's brigade left at Gainesville was temporarily cut 



264 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

off from the corps, and Captain Johnson, commander 
of the corps headquarters' escort, was captured while 
bearing a message from General Hancock to General 
Zook. 

It commenced raining in the afternoon, and we 
went into camp that night in one of the fiercest of 
showers. It was here that General Alexander Hays 
joined the corps with a brigade, and was assigned to 
the command of the Third division. The same day- 
General Alexander S. Webb was made commander 
of the Philadelphia brigade, who was soon to render 
the corps such signal service on the 3d of July. 

On the 26th the corps crossed the Potomac at Ed- 
wards Ferry. The regiment was now back to the 
scene of its first militaiy service and almost in sight of 
the spot of its first trial and suffering. It seemed a 
hard fate that after nearly two years of fighting we 
should be forced back to the very spot of our first 
battle. Every original member of the regiment had 
picketed along the river at Edwards Ferry, and there 
was much interest manifested in looking out again on 
old familiar scenes. 

On the 28th the corps reached Monocacy Junction, 
near Frederick in Maryland, and there we learned 
that General Hooker had tendered his resignation, and 
that General George G. Meade, then commanding 
the Fifth Corps, had succeeded him. General Couch 
states in his diary that he had a long private conver- 
sation with the President after Chancellorsville, dur- 
ing which he plainly informed Mr. Lincoln that 
Hooker had forfeited the confidence of the higher 
oflScers and ought to be removed, and that "Meade 
was the man for the place." It is likely that the word 
of one so competent to advise had much weight in the 
selection. 



GETTYSBURG ^65 

No one ever succeeded to the command of a great 
army under such trying circumstances as those sur- 
rounding the new commander of the Army of the 
Potomac. Headquarters were then at Frederick in 
Maryland, where were assembled the First, Eleventh, 
and Twelfth corps; the Second was at Monocacy 
Junction; the Third was near Woodsborough ; the 
Fifth was at Ballinger's Creek; and the Sixth was 
at Hyattstown. Buford's cavalry division was at Mid- 
dletown; Gregg's division at Newmarket; and Kil- 
patrick's division at Frederick City with the artillery 
reserve. 

On the previous day Stuart had crossed the Po- 
tomac near Dranesville with his cavalry, and had 
captured on the 28th a large train of supplies on its 
way to Frederick, and then continued his march in 
the rear of the Union Army, causing something of a 
panic in Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. 
On this date Ewell with two divisions was in Carlisle, 
and Early, having torn up the track and destroyed 
some of the bridges of the Northern Central Railroad, 
had entered York. Lee, with the commands of Long- 
street and Hill, was at Chambersburg. The locations 
of the invading forces of Ewell and Early were then 
known, but the position of Lee with the bulk of his 
army and his plan of future operations had not been 
revealed. The two forces were separated by distances 
varying from fifty to a hundred miles, but where they 
were likely to meet was beyond the realm of conjec- 
ture. Lee had been informed that Hooker had crossed 
the Potomac, but beyond that fact he was ignorant 
of the location of a single corps of the Federal Army. 

General Meade, connected with the Army of the 
Potomac from its organization, had commanded a 
brigade on the peninsula, a division at Antietam 



266 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

and Fredericksburg, and from the latter event had 
been the chief of the Fifth Corps. Though present at 
Chancellors ville, he can hardly be said to have taken 
part in the battle. He had never had an independent 
command, and his experience was practically limited 
to a brigade and division. During this time he had 
been gradually rising in the estimation of the govern- 
ment and the army alike, and his succession to the 
command was received not with enthusiasm but with 
fervor and confidence. The charge of his division 
at Fredericksburg has often been compared with that 
of Pickett's division at Gettysburg, and is still pointed 
to as one of the heroic acts of the war. His personal 
courage had often been tested and as often applauded, 
while his fine scholarship and lofty character were 
matters of general recognition. 

But to assume the command of a great and scat- 
tered army near the close of a campaign and on the 
eve of a battle demanded a strong heart and a clear 
brain, both of which General Meade brought to the 
discharge of his trying duties. Mr. John C. Ropes, 
one of the most accomplished military writers and 
critics, in his life of Napoleon singles out the fact that 
Bliicher and Wellington, each with armies much 
larger than the emperor's, had agreed to await his 
attack at Waterloo, as entitling them to the highest 
praise and commendation. If there be wisdom in this, 
it would be diflScult to express in words what is due 
to General Meade in deciding to press forward in- 
stantly to find General Lee and bring him to battle. 
Lee with his army at this time was a more formidable 
foe than Napoleon at Waterloo. 

On the morning of the 29th the whole army was in 
motion. General Reynolds was given command of 
the left wing, consisting of the First, Third, and 



GETTYSBURG 267 

Eleventh corps. The Twentieth marched to Union- 
town, Maryland, where it remained the following day. 
This was the longest march of the war, something 
over thirty-two miles. The weather was hot and the 
roads dusty, but neither heat nor dust was minded 
in the eagerness of every one to overtake the enemy. 
The men appeared to be made of iron so little were 
they affected by their extraordinary exertions. Only 
two men dropped out from the ranks, coming into 
camp a little later than the rest, and thirteen were 
carried part of the way in the ambulances. Their en- 
durance was equaled by their orderly conduct; plun- 
dering was unknown, though temptations of every 
kind were constantly before their eyes. We were 
marching through one of the attractive garden spots of 
the earth. A beautiful valley, shut in on either side by 
picturesque hills and watered by numerous streams, 
spread out on either side and stretched forward seem- 
ingly without end. To veteran soldiers who for two 
years had seen only the thin soil and poorly cultivated 
fields of Virginia it was a veritable paradise. Crops 
of every kind and variety were hastening forward to 
maturity, and from the open barns came the sweet 
smell of the newly gathered hay. Mile after mile the 
road was lined with trees loaded with ripe and luscious 
cherries, but they remained untasted. From the mo- 
ment that the army crossed to the north of the Poto- 
mac a new and strange feeling came over it. Though 
in theory it was never admitted that any section of the 
country was other than part of a great whole, the war 
had overturned the theory so far as the feelings were 
concerned, and entering a loyal State gave the sense 
of returning from a foreign country to one's own 
again. It was seen in the changed face, the eye, the 
cheery tones of the voice, the quick elastic step that 



268 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

went on without ceasing, and the eager desire to come 
up with the enemy and drive him back to his own 
country. The despondency following Fredericksburg 
was gone, and the victors of Chancellorsville no longer 
excited a fear. Such were the sentiments, conduct, 
and feelings of the army as it pressed forward un- 
der the burning sun of June and July to reach the 
field of Gettysburg. 

On June 30 the Second Corps at Uniontown held 
the centre of a widely extended line, the Sixth Corps 
being as far to the east as New Windsor, and the Fifth 
and Eleventh corps at Emmetsburg. Buford's cav- 
alry was at Fairfield, and on the following day occu- 
pied Gettysburg and the ridges to the west with vi- 
dettes well to the front on all the roads centring on 
the town upon which the enemy would be likely to ad- 
vance. It was from this officer that Meade learned 
during the evening of the 30th that the Confederate 
Army was moving in the direction of this place. 

The campaign well illustrates how chance rather 
than the determinations of commanders often de- 
cides the spot where battles are to be fought. It was 
not in the mind of either Lee or Meade that the con- 
test between them was to be decided on the hills over- 
looking that now famous town. 

Resting a day at Uniontown, where we received a 
loyal greeting from the inhabitants, who offered fairly 
everything in the way of refreshment, daylight of the 
1st of July saw the regiment again on its way to Taney- 
town, where it arrived about noon, expecting to go 
into camp. While preparing to make our stay com- 
fortable, whether long or short, a report was brought 
to General Meade that the enemy had been encoun- 
tered west of Gettysburg and that General Reynolds 
had been killed or wounded. General Meade went to 



GETTYSBURG 269 

General Hancock's headquarters and directed him to 
turn over the command of the corps to our division 
commander, General Gibbon, and proceed to the 
scene of conflict to represent him there. We saw him 
enter an ambulance, his horse being led by an orderly, 
which was soon hid from sight by a cloud of dust as it 
sped over the road to the north. It was at once con- 
jectured that something of importance had happened, 
and before long rumors were circulating through the 
ranks that a great disaster had occurred and that our 
commander had been sent forward in all haste to re- 
pair it. The order, which soon came, to break camp 
again and fall into line, was confirmation that there 
was some truth in what rumor had been telling us. 

That great events were near at hand was seen 
clearly enough when we were again on the road, for 
each regiment was required to have a guard in the 
rear which was charged to arrest every one, whether 
officer or private, who, for the purpose of even get- 
ting a drink of water, should step out from his place 
in the marching column. An officer of the Twentieth 
was, in fact, made subject to this order for attempting 
to dip up a cup of water from a brook that crossed the 
road. No interval was allowed between any two units 
of the corps, whether artillery or infantry. It was the 
closest marching column that we had ever had ex- 
perience of, and from Taneytown to Gettysburg the 
world was shut out from sight. A cloud of dust so 
dense and all pervading enveloped us that nothing 
was anywhere visible. For all that we knew we might 
have been passing through a treeless desert. The pic- 
turesque hills, the rich and fertile valley, the succes- 
sion of beautiful and productive farms, that we had 
been passing by and through, disappeared from sight 
all at once as if by magic. The heat was intense and 



270 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the air motionless, but not a murmur of discontent 
was heard at the hardship of a forced march under 
these trying conditions. That one portion of the army 
was in need of assistance was the stimulant that ban- 
ished all thought of weariness and kept the column 
in motion like a piece of perfect machinery. The dust 
settled down upon us, and adhering to the moist skin 
gave one uniform color of dirty brown to caps, coats, 
faces, hands, trousers, and shoes. Individual features 
were obliterated, and it was no longer possible to dis- 
tinguish the file leader from the file closer. The Sec- 
ond Corps of the Army of the Potomac came to look 
like a twin brother of the Second Corps of the Army 
of Northern Virginia. 

We had not moved forward far before we caught 
the most impressive sound that can reach the human 
ear, the first indistinct notes of a distant battle. In- 
stinctively the step was quickened and the heart beat 
with a quicker throb. With only short and infrequent 
rests, the march was continued until about half past 
five, when General Hancock was met on his return 
from Cemetery Hill and ordered the corps into camp 
near Round Top Mountain, about two miles south of 
Gettysburg. This gave us information that the critical 
moment for the day at least had passed, and with a 
satisfaction that need not be expressed, we made 
preparations for a night of rest and refreshment to 
meet the demands of the coming day. 
This is what had thus far happened : — 
General Reynolds, having learned that Buford was 
in touch with the Confe'derate advance a few miles 
beyond and west of Gettysburg, directed the First 
Corps to start early on the morning of July 1, and 
push on rapidly to that place, with the Eleventh Corps 
to follow. He personally joined Buford with a small 



GETTYSBURG 271 

escort about ten o'clock in the steeple of the Theo- 
logical Seminary, a mile west of the village. 

General Heth put his division in motion on the 
Chambersburg Road at daylight, with no expecta- 
tion of meeting with serious opposition, but had not 
proceeded far before he was obliged to form in line to 
overcome the stubborn resistance of the cavalry. 
The first gun was fired at just nine o'clock, when 
the battle was soon after joined with the division 
of Wadsworth of the First Corps, which was the ear- 
liest to arrive. It was reenforced from time to time 
as the other divisions came up, and by the Eleventh 
Corps some hours later. Very early in the action 
General Reynolds was instantly killed by a sharp- 
shooter a little south of the Chambersburg Pike, on 
the spot now covered by the beautiful monument 
erected to the memory of this accomplished and in- 
trepid soldier. Three days before he had seen with 
pleasure one of his former division commanders placed 
over him at the head of the army, and at the time 
of his death was serving him and the cause with 
that perfect loyalty which amid the bickerings and 
jealousies so often witnessed made his loss, if pos- 
sible, the more felt and regretted. 

General Heth formed his division in two lines, 
the front consisting of the brigades of Archer and 
Davis; Archer was on the Confederate right of the 
Chambersburg Road and Davis on the left. Archer 
was captured, with a part of his brigade, in the 
woods near Willoughby Run, and soon after a good 
part of Davis's brigade was taken in the railroad 
cut and sent to the rear as prisoners. General 
Doubleday succeeded to the command of the corps 
on the death of Reynolds. For several hours the 
battle was between the First Corps and Heth's divi- 



272 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

sion, with Pender's large division in support. It was 
a close though fierce contest, but the enemy were 
able to make no headway and suffered the heaviest 
losses. 

The Eleventh Corps came up about one o'clock 
in the afternoon, and by two o'clock had formed a 
line at right angles to the First Corps facing north, 
to meet the attack of Ewell, whose advance division 
arrived at about half past one. There being an 
interval of half a mile between the two corps. Double- 
day was compelled to refuse his right wing so that a 
part of his forces was facing north and the remainder 
to the west. General Doubleday says that the First 
Corps numbered only eight thousand men in the 
morning and the Eleventh, with one brigade left on 
Cemetery Ridge, was smaller still. The contest of 
the day was decided in favor of the enemy when 
Early came in from York and struck Barlow's divi- 
sion of the Eleventh Corps on the right flank. There 
was nothing for it to do but retreat as best it could. 
The First Corps was not able to contend much longer 
against the great numbers that were pressing on in 
front and around either flank, but the men held on 
with great tenacity and reluctantly retired to escape 
inevitable capture. In the battle this corps lost over 
six thousand men, mostly on the first day. No body 
of men of the same size ever suffered to the same ex- 
tent during the war. Besides the brigades of Archer 
and Davis, it captured nearly the entire brigade of 
Iverson of Ewell's Corps. The shattered remnants 
of our forces were rallied on Cemetery Hill. 

At half past three General Hancock arrived. 
Rapidly as he had ridden from Taneytown, his speed 
was none too great. His coming was most oppor- 
tune, as his presence gave confidence and new cour- 



GETTYSBURG 273 

age to the men, though he brought nothing with him 
but his own commanding presence, soldierly in- 
stincts, and resolute will. These alone were the reen- 
forcements the occasion required. Those who have 
not witnessed it can have only a faint idea of the hope- 
less sight which a defeated and scattered army pre- 
sents, and the soldier who brings order out of such 
chaos and restores to it in part its lost confidence 
possesses qualities of a high order. This is what 
Hancock did for the two corps he met and reformed 
on Cemetery Hill, making such a show of force that 
the enemy paused in their victorious career. At 
half past five Slocum arrived with his leading divi- 
sion, and before dark Sickles with the Third Corps 
joined on to the left of Doubleday, and the hour of 
danger had passed. Hancock had not been long 
on the ground before, with a sweep of the eye over 
the field from the top of the hill, he decided a ques- 
tion fraught with the nation's destiny, and made 
Gettysburg the great battle of the war. To the vote 
of thanks by Congress to General Howard, the 
Army of the Potomac made answer by erecting to 
the memory of Hancock, the prmce of corps com- 
manders, the heroic statue that crowns the summit 
of Cemetery Hill. 

On the morning of the second we were up early, hav- 
ing enjoyed a good and needed rest. The sky was over- 
cast, but the sultry air gave promise of another day 
of extreme heat. We had just time to eat breakfast 
and clean a part of the dust from our uniforms, when 
the corps was moved up to the position held for 
the next two days, facing west towards the Emmets- 
burg Road, the right being in front of the cemetery. 
General Meade arrived during the night and estab- 
lished army headquarters to our rear near the Bal- 



274 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

timore Pike. At this time the army was posted as 
follows: the TweKth Corps on the right with the 
First, Eleventh, Second, and Third continuing the 
line to the left in the order named. At one o'clock 
in the afternoon the Fifth Corps arrived and was 
placed near the right of the Twelfth, and two hours 
later, the Sixth Corps, after a forced march of thirty- 
four miles, was halted near Round Top to act as a 
general reserve to the army. 

With the exception of Pickett's division, the whole 
of the Confederate Army was in front on the morning 
of the second, Longstreet being on the right. Hill in 
the centre, and Ewell on the left. It was expected 
that Lee with his superior numbers would not fail 
to attack early, before the arrival of the two large 
corps then on the march, but happily he did not so 
do until late in the day. The intervening time was 
a gift of fortune, and every hour of it was utilized 
making preparations to meet the coming shock. 
It was before the time when throwing up breastworks 
was the custom whenever near the enemy, but some- 
thing of the kind was done, particularly at the right; 
and the regiment with one shovel threw up a line of 
dirt about a foot in height, which might have stopped 
a bullet, if a little weary of flight before reaching 
it. Generally it may be said that the battle was 
fought without artificial protection from either side. 
It was expected that General Sickles would con- 
nect with the Second Corps and prolong its line to 
Little Round Top; but by reason of part of the 
ground being low, he advanced his corps several 
hundred yards to the west, placing Humphreys's 
division along the Emmetsburg Road, and two bri- 
gades of his other division nearly at right angles to 
it, refused back as far as the "Devil's Den." There 



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DC 

P 

n 

CO 

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GETTYSBURG 275 

has been much controversy over this action of Sickles, 
which it is unnecessary to allude to here. It was 
not in accordance with Gelieral Meade's instruc- 
tions, though his chief of artillery was with Sickles 
when the line was established. When General Meade 
discovered the mistake it was too late to rectify it, 
and hence the second day's battle was fought at an 
unexpected locality. In the belief that General Lee 
would first seek to gain possession of Cemetery Hill, 
Meade had given special attention to this part of 
the field, and it was not until about three o'clock in 
the afternoon that he rode out to the left with Sickles 
just as the battle was commencing. 

General Lee's plans were for Longstreet to at- 
tack the left, and Ewell the right of our lines at the 
same time, and for Hill to be in readiness to ad- 
vance whenever he saw an opportunity for his men 
to be of use. Longstreet was expected to make the 
great effort, and Anderson's division of the Third 
Corps was placed under his command. To move 
his corps to the south so as to strike the left flank 
of the Third Corps, it was thought necessary to make 
a wide detour in order to escape observation, and 
in this way so much time was consumed that it was 
nearly five o'clock before his presence was shown 
or felt. There had of course been much skirmish fir- 
ing during the day along every front, but nothing 
had happened to give definite evidence of what the 
enemy was intending to do. 

Having established eleven batteries west of the 
Emmetsburg Road, that bore directly upon the 
angle made by the Third Corps at the peach orchard 
and enfiladed the two brigades of Ward and De 
Trobriand, that constituted the left wing, extending 
from the peach orchard to the "Devil's Den," and 



276 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Hood's division being formed at nearly a right angle 
to the Emmetsburg Road, Longstreet directed his 
formidable battery to open and the attack to com- 
mence. It was expected that, after overcoming the 
resistance offered by the refused line, Longstreet 
would be able to swing along the Emmetsburg Road, 
which would clear the way for a subsequent attack 
upon Cemetery Hill, or a movement of a powerful 
force between there and Round Top to the rear of 
the army. 

Hood's division overlapped the brigades of Ward 
and De Trobriand by a brigade and a half, and this 
force turned to the right for the purpose of gaining 
possession of Little Round Top, which was only 
being used for a signal station. The remaining por- 
tion of the division kept straight forward, and first 
came into conflict with Ward's brigade, then De 
Trobriand's, both of which, after desperate fighting, 
were pressed back into and beyond the famous wheat- 
field. It was only by force of numbers that this part 
of the line was gained, for it was held by the men 
who had served under Kearney, and truer soldiers 
could be found nowhere. Soon after McLaws's divi- 
sion broke through the angle at the peach orchard, 
and no part of the line was thereafter tenable. About 
this time Sickles received a serious wound resulting 
in the loss of a leg, and Hood a few moments before 
had met with the same calamity. Barksdale, whose 
brigade with that of Kershaw had gained possession 
of the peach orchard, was killed, and the casualty 
list on either side ran up to the thousands. Cald- 
well's division from the Second Corps was sent for- 
ward by Hancock, who in turn drove the enemy 
back through the wheat-field, and no fiercer fight- 
ing occurred than during the desperate charges 



GETTYSBURG 277 

made by the brigades led by Zook, Cross, and Brooke. 
Braver men never lived than these three peerless 
soldiers. General Zook and Colonel Cross were 
killed. The latter, having already made his own 
name and that of the Fifth New Hampshire famous, 
saluting Hancock, told him he was bidding him a 
last farewell, and rode on to meet his doom. These 
formidable troops were in turn compelled to give 
way, and Ayres and Crawford continued in turn 
to battle over this hotly contested ground, until at 
length Longstreet gave up the contest and drew off 
his shattered columns. He later expressed the opinion 
that no better fighting ever was done than what was 
seen on the afternoon of that second day of July. 

It has already been stated that, before Hood's 
division had come into actual contact with Ward's 
brigade, a brigade and a half had broken off from 
the general line and moved somewhat to the right 
to gain possession of Little Round Top. No one 
familiar with the field and the positions of the two 
armies could for a moment doubt that its possession 
by the Confederate forces would have been speedily 
decisive of the battle. 

General Warren, the graceful and accomplished 
chief of engineers, with a face of classic beauty and 
intelligence beaming from every feature, had ridden 
to the signal station on Little Round Top to gain a 
view of the battle, and, as he saw Law's brigade 
supported by two regiments deflect to the right, 
instantly divined their purpose, and, usurping an 
authority for which he would have suffered if it had 
been misapplied, ordered, in the name of General 
Meade, Vincent's brigade, which was moving on to 
the support of Sickles, to the place of danger. The 
story of the arrival of this brigade and that of Law 



278 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

upon the top of the mountain from opposite sides 
at almost the same instant, the fierce and savage 
conflict that took place for the possession of that 
rough and rocky terrain, is one of the most heroic 
and tragic incidents of the war. In the opinion of 
some it was a contest that decided, not the holding 
of a few square rods of a rough mountain top, but 
the life of the nation itself. No one can look upon 
the graceful figure in bronze, which now stands 
where the living form once stood, with glass in hand 
looking down upon the on-coming hosts, without 
dropping a tear at the sad fate that was meted out 
to this heroic soldier at the very moment of the final 
victory. 

When Humphreys's division, forming the right 
of the Third Corps, was compelled to fall back by 
reason of the loss of the peach orchard, it was re- 
formed along the line of Plum Run. The front 
of Anderson's division was then nearly clear of 
troops up to the ridge in front of Cemetery Hill, 
which was held by the forces of Gibbon and Hays 
that had not thus far been engaged. A part of these 
two divisions had been previously sent to the assist- 
ance of Sickles, and the position was thinly covered. 
The Fifteenth Massachusetts and the Eighty-second 
New York had been sent out by General Gibbon 
to the Codori house, with Brown's Rhode Island 
Battery, and Hays had lost Willard's brigade on an 
order from General Hancock, who had been placed 
in command of the Third Corps when Sickles was 
wounded, and charged with the defense of the whole 
line from the Cemetery to Round Top. 

With the field thus clear and the way apparently 
open, Lee ordered forward the brigades of Wilcox, 
Perry and Wright, to be supported by those of Posey 



GETTYSBURG 279 

and Mahone. Pender's division was ordered to coop- 
erate upon the left of the brigades of Anderson's 
division. For some unknown cause the brigades of 
Posey and Mahone did not move, and for this rea- 
son Pender is said to have held back and failed to 
cooperate with the forces on his right. The three 
brigades came on alone, Wilcox on the right, Perry 
in the centre, and Wright upon the left. Wright's 
forces met the Fifteenth Massachusetts and the 
Eighty-second New York at the Codori house, but 
after a desperate resistance by this small band, in 
which Colonels Ward and Huston were both killed, 
they were swept away, and Brown's battery was cap- 
tured. The small but gallant remnants of this con- 
quering force dashed up to the front of Webb's 
brigade, but they were hurled back and pursued 
halfway to their original position. Wilcox's brigade 
was nearly surrounded, and extricated itself with 
much difficulty, losing many prisoners. This ended 
the battle upon the left. 

There is one incident worthy of record that took 
place in front of Hays's division of the Second Corps. 
A barn five hundred and eighty yards in front of 
the main line on the Bliss farm had been occupied 
by Confederate sharpshooters who had been for 
some time very annoying with their persistent and 
accurate firing. General Hays sent out four com- 
panies from the Twelfth New Jersey which sur- 
rounded the barn and captured the whole force, con- 
sisting of seven officers and ninety-two men. This 
happened at half past five in the afternoon, and has 
been thought by some to have been the cause of the 
detention of Pender's division, in front of which these 
sharpshooters were stationed. It might have been con- 
sidered as preparatory to an attack upon his lines. 



280 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

During this part of the battle the Twentieth re- 
mained inactive in the position taken in the morn- 
ing, and witnessed from a distance what was taking 
place. Over a space nearly a mile square in its 
front the air was filled with bursting shells, and at 
times the smoke clung to the earth and shut every- 
thing from view. The shouts of the combatants 
could be heard above the roar of the battle, and from 
the well-remembered *' rebel yell " it was not diflScult to 
tell which army was receiving and which was driving 
home the charge. The retreat of Humphreys's divi- 
sion from the Emmetsburg Road was in clear view 
and gave the impression of a serious reverse; but 
when Caldwell's division proudly moved to the front 
and Ayres's regulars in splendid order turned around 
the northern face of Round Top, we felt that if 
human valor could turn the tide, it would be done 
by these men. 

It was on this day that Lee missed his right arm 
in the person of Stonewall Jackson. For the purpose 
of exciting alarm and creating confusion in the 
Federal ranks, as well as for the ultimate results 
sought to be achieved, it was intended to make the 
attacks on the right and left simultaneous. The Con- 
federate line, being the outer one of the circle, was 
nearly seven miles in length. For good reasons the 
Confederate chieftain remained on the right, and 
left the conduct of the assault upon the Federal 
right to Ewell. In the morning the Confederate 
Second Corps was drawn up on a line running through 
the village of Gettysburg, extending a long distance 
to the east and facing to the south. Johnson's divi- 
sion, the only one that had not been engaged, was 
ordered to work its way along Rock Creek until it 
reached the eastern face of Culp's Hill, break through 



GETTYSBURG 281 

our lines at that point, and plant itself firmly on the 
hill. As it swept around it was necessarily separated 
from the rest of the corps, leaving an interval of 
nearly a mile between the two parts. Successfully 
to execute such an order required a leader of the 
Jackson type, or at least that the column should re- 
ceive an impulse from such as he. Ewell was then 
laboring under the disability arising from the loss 
of a leg, and, though still a capable and resolute 
soldier, had lost something of his early force and 
energy. Johnson did not start soon enough, or else 
was slow in his movements and preparations, for 
he was not ready until the sound of battle had died 
away along the Emmetsburg Road. What is more 
strange and more difficult of explanation, the divi- 
sions of Early and Rodes, that were expected to carry 
Cemetery Hill, or at least attempt it, at the same time, 
had not been formed, and for once Lee saw the 
machinery of his army out of gear and its various 
parts acting inharmoniously. 

Unfortunately, there were also mistakes made on 
our side, for late in the day, too late for any use, a 
part of the Twelfth Corps had been withdrawn from 
Culp's Hill and by some one's fault had not been 
ordered to return; so that when Johnson commenced 
his attack he found a part of our works unoccupied 
and entered them unopposed. Everywhere else his 
men were thrown back, and many were killed and 
wounded in front of Wadsworth's division and Green's 
brigade of the Twelfth Corps. Owing to the dark- 
ness no advantage could be taken of the easy con- 
quest of a part of our intrenchments, but the enemy 
retained them during the night. 

The assault on Cemetery Hill was made by two 
brigades of Early's division at about the same time 



282 THE TWENTIETH IVIASSACHUSETTS 

the engagement was going on between Johnson and 
Wadsworth and Green. It was preceded by a duel 
between the artillery on Benner's Hill and our own, 
but it did not last long, as the Confederates were 
overmatched and compelled to retire. Hays's brigade 
on the right and Hoke's on the left dashed up the 
hill in face of our guns in the most gallant style, 
ran over the troops of the Eleventh Corps at the foot 
of the hill, captured Weidrick's battery, and spiked 
two of Rickett's guns. Hancock sent Carroll from 
his own line to repair this disaster, and this im- 
petuous leader, moving his brigade into the rear of 
the captured position, soon sent the enemy down the 
hill in confusion. Gordon's supporting column had 
hardly got started when, seeing the return of their 
defeated comrades, they stopped; and the divisions 
of Rodes and Pender, considering the assault at an 
end, did not advance. And so ended the battle of 
the second day. 

As the sound of these two last engagements reached 
us directly from the rear, the fear of a flank attack, 
for which the Confederates had become famous, 
was naturally excited, and there was much appre- 
hension for a while lest the enemy should break 
through on the right or make a lodgment to the rear, 
in which case a retreat would be not only necessary 
but extremely diflScult. It was long after dark when 
the firing died away and the anomalous condition 
existed of a brigade or more of Johnson's division 
occupying a part of our rifle-pits during the night, 
flanked on either side by our own troops, so near 
together that they could toss biscuits to each other 
had they been so minded. It is said that little squads 
of blue and gray passed each other and almost mingled 
as each went to Spangler's Spring for water. 



GETTYSBURG 283 

During the whole of the second Company G was 
thrown out to the front on picket duty, where Captain 
Patten, Lieutenant Cowgill, and Sergeant Magnitsky 
were severely wounded ; but as the enemy were coming 
on, the latter succeeded in crawling into the Codori 
house and concealing himself while the building was 
in their possession. During the night he crawled back 
to the regiment, and was cared for in the regimental 
hospital. 

With the exception of Company G the regiment 
had thus far met with only a few casualties, but among 
the number was Colonel Revere, who was killed by a 
shell during the attack of Anderson's division late in 
the afternoon. About ten thousand men had been 
killed and wounded on each side during the day, and 
when night came they were still lying between the 
lines. What was a time for rest and sleep to the larger 
part of the army was a busy period for those whose 
duty it was to bury the dead and care for the wounded. 
The thin veil of clouds that shut out the sun by day 
now hid the stars, making the work of relief all the 
more difficult. The mile- wide valley between the 
Cemetery and Seminary ridges, scattered over from 
edge to edge with so many sufferers, was merely a 
stretch of darkness; every landmark so easily distin- 
guishable by day — fences, trees, orchards, houses — 
all were obscured and lost to sight by the great blanket 
that covered the earth. Across it, here and there, like 
a distant star, was occasionally seen a light, glimmer- 
ing for a moment and then disappearing as if a cloud 
had passed over it. 

As the battle was not ended until after dark, it was 
late before the work of relief was begun. Then was 
heard the rumbling of wagon wheels behind, and soon 
hundreds of ambulances were drawn up in rear of 



284 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the lines, and with them came surgeons, hospital 
stewards, and stretcher-bearers without number. With 
their lighted lanterns they passed to the front and 
scattered over the valley, seeking out the wounded, 
and everywhere finding a full harvest. From the other 
side came the Confederate surgeons and their as- 
sistants, who scattering likewise over the hither fields, 
soon filled the mile-square space between the two 
armies with wandering jets of light. The air, with- 
out motion, was still hot and stifling. The silence of 
the night, in contrast with the uproar and fury of the 
day, was more than ordinarily solemn and impressive. 
With no evidence of the fierce strife now visible, one 
could readily imagine that he was looking out upon a 
broad and peaceful meadow filled with a swarm of 
fireflies. These wandering lights were seen all through 
the night, and when morning came the work of relief 
was still unfinished. 

Before daybreak we were roused by the roar of the 
artillery in rear of us. It was necessary to drive the 
enemy from the position where they had made a lodg- 
ment on our right, and no time was lost in making the 
attempt. Ewell was unwilling to lose the foothold he 
had secured, and sent two of his best brigades to re- 
enforce Johnson. General Geary, the withdrawal of 
whose division made the unfortunate gap which the 
enemy occupied, returned during the night, but learn- 
ing the condition of things, halted in rear of his former 
position, and made ready to contest with Johnson 
the right of its possession. It was Geary's artillery 
which we heard at such an unseasonable hour of the 
morning. Owing to the roughness of the ground, the 
woods, and the stream, the enemy had no artillery, 
which put them to a great disadvantage. Occupying 
the space between Culp's and Power hills, known as 



GETTYSBURG 285 

the "swale," Johnson found that his troops were in 
a very uncomfortable position, and must either re- 
tire or gain ground to the front. Adopting the last 
alternative, he ordered the Stonewall brigade, which 
was in front, to charge and the others to push forward 
in support. For two hours or more his men kept up 
a close and sharp contest with Geary's division among 
the rocks and trees ; but being able to make no head- 
way and seeing other troops moving to Rock Creek 
for the purpose of cutting off his retreat, Johnson 
reluctantly gave the order to retire, which was accom- 
plished after serious loss. 

The Union lines were once more established, and 
the two attacks planned for the second had failed. 

Each army had suffered severe losses, and it is not 
possible to tell which suffered most. Every Confed- 
erate division then on the field had been engaged, 
while the Sixth Corps of the Federal Army had not 
fired a shot, and there were several brigades that were 
still fresh and capable of great exertions. A council 
of war was held during the evening of the second; and 
though our line was then broken and held, no one 
thought of retreating. 

For many hours after Geary gained possession of 
his own works an almost ominous silence prevailed. 
The skirmishers from either side were well out to the 
front, and an occasional shot was hardly noticed. 
The sun rose up and passed through a cloudless sky 
and the day was very hot, but sun and heat were not 
much considered. The contest was not ended, and 
every thought was, not of slight discomforts, but when, 
how, and where the struggle was to be renewed. That 
it would be renewed no one doubted. The South 
would not well receive news that Lee had a second 
time crossed the Potomac and retired after an un- 



286 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

finished battle with only some Pennsylvania horses, 
a supply of provisions, and a little money levied on 
the city of York to show after such great prepara- 
tions. For a long time there was nothing even seen 
or heard to indicate what might be expected. We 
remained behind the rail fence looking across the 
green fields toward the Seminary Ridge, admiring 
the rich and rural landscape spread out around us. 
It seemed a pity that our rough plowshares should 
break up those beautiful slopes and valleys out of 
season, and disturb the quiet people whose homes 
were scattered over them with the clamor of war. 
But General Lee would have it so, and we accepted 
his challenge. 

During the forenoon the profound silence was 
twice broken in front of General Hays's division of 
our corps, once in the morning and a second time 
about four hours later. The Confederate skirmishers 
had again taken possession of the Bliss barn, a post 
too near to suit General Hays. He sent out a de- 
tachment from the Twelfth New Jersey which cap- 
tured the barn and all the men in it. It having again 
become occupied, Hays determined to make an end 
of all trouble from that quarter, and sent a part of 
the Fourteenth Connecticut, which not only captured 
the inmates, but burnt the barns. These two inci- 
dents took place between the lines, and were wit- 
nessed by thousands on either side. General Hays 
went along with his men on horseback, and personally 
superintended their movements. 

The events above described were the only ones of 
importance that occurred for many hours. Early in 
the morning General Meade made the circuit of his 
lines, and often stopped his horse to scan carefully 
with a glass the field in front. He rode up to Han- 



GETTYSBURG 287 

cock, who was on the Second Corps Hne, and ex- 
pressed to him the behef that the next attack would 
be made on his right. He said that Lee had a fond- 
ness for making flank attacks, and would not be likely 
to expose his troops to the powerful artillery fire they 
would meet in a movement against the centre. Han- 
cock was of the opinion that along his front the battle 
would open. After this interchange of views he rode 
on towards Round Top. The whole army had an 
opportunity of seeing their new commander during 
this morning ride. His face was calm, with no trace 
of excitement or anxiety about it, and his quiet mien 
gave confidence to the men in the ranks. 

During the early hours the field presented an ani- 
mated and novel picture. But for the implements of 
war it would have appeared like a country fair on a 
colossal scale. The right of the line, turning back 
south of the village and running along the ridge of 
Gulp's to Powers Hill, enclosed a space less than a 
mile in width, which was covered over with ambu- 
lances, wagons, reserve artillery, — the greater part 
of the impedimenta of the army. Scattered about were 
thousands of horses with saddles on, mules in har- 
ness, hitched to fences, trees, wagon wheels, and stakes 
driven in the ground, munching the hay and grain 
that had been fed out to them. The higher officers 
generally established their headquarters just in rear 
of their respective commands, the central feature of 
which was an ambulance. Generals Hancock and 
Gibbon used one in common, and slept together on 
its floor. Their staff officers were grouped about it 
on the ground. The men slept in rear of the walls 
and fences, not caring for shelter in such weather, 
and the regimental officers did the same. Seventy 
thousand muskets, with bayonets fixed, stacked in a 



288 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

row four miles long, marked the line where seventy 
thousand men would stand when the battle note 
should be sounded. Behind, and at intervals between, 
was placed the artillery, rifled and smooth bored, six, 
twelve, and twenty pounders — brass and iron pieces 
of every make. The cemetery on the hill was crowded 
with them, forty-eight in number. They looked 
queerly out of place there, with their black muzzles 
peering out between the white marble slabs, and 
pointing threateningly at the opposite heights. In 
Ziegler's Grove at the base of the hill was Woodruff, 
with Battery I of the First U. S. Artillery; at the 
angle Gushing, with Battery A of the Fourth, and 
near the left of our brigade was Rorty with his guns 
well served by volunteers, each of whom in a few 
hours would no longer be among the living. The 
infantryman loves to see the big guns close by him, 
for though only one wound and one death out of 
twelve is caused by them, their loud voices furnish a 
music he delights to hear when thundering along a 
line he is defending. 

As the morning wore away and midday was ap- 
proaching, the sun beat down so fiercely on the bare 
ridge, the men took out their canvas sheets and fas- 
tened them up with sticks or the bayonet for shelter. 
By a sudden transformation the green hills all at once 
became white. By noon the activities and work of the 
morning was over, and the army lolled, sweltered, and 
waited under the tropical sun. 

Just in rear of the Twentieth, at noon. General 
Gibbon had his dinner served. An old mess chest 
was used for a table. There were two stools occupied 
by Gibbon and Hancock. The staff sat on the ground. 
Very soon General Meade rode up and was invited 
to join. An old cracker box was found which served 



GETTYSBURG 289 

as a seat for the commander of the Army of the Po- 
tomac. Then came Generals Newton and Pleasanton 
with a number of aides, who were also invited; but 
as no seats were to be had, they were obliged to stand 
or sit on the ground. They discussed during the frugal 
meal the battle of the previous day, and expressed 
their views of what was likely soon to happen. The 
general feeling was hopeful. Gibbon had for the jfirst 
time been in command of the corps the day before, 
and Newton chaffed him with putting on airs on ac- 
count of his high station. As soon as cigars were 
lighted, Meade rode away, and this historic dinner 
party soon after broke up. 

During all these hours of peace and quiet General 
Lee, unseen and unheard, was making preparations 
for one last effort. Pickett's division joined Long- 
street's corps during the evening, a fine body of troops 
composed entirely of Virginia regiments, that had 
been left at Chambersburg to guard the trains. Never 
were brave men led by a more gallant commander. 
Pickett possessed the very qualities required for the 
desperate work he was now called upon to perform. 
With all the dash of a cavalry leader, a quick eye to 
detect a weak spot in a battle line, and a trained mind 
to meet the shifting conditions that suddenly arise 
in the heat and fury of a close conflict, no better cap- 
tain could have been found among the peerless sol- 
diers that had so long served under Lee, to lead and 
direct the formidable array that was soon to be 
launched against the centre of our position. It was 
singular that the one chosen to be at the head of the 
most powerful Confederate column organized during 
the war should have received his cadet appointment 
to West Point at the hands of President Lincoln. 
One of the first acts the latter did on the 4th of April, 



290 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

when he visited Richmond after its occupation, was 
to seek out and make a call upon the young wife of 
his old friend, George Pickett, as he used to call him, 
who was then living with her little babe in that city. 

It was fortunate that the troops holding the po- 
sition against which this force was aimed were under 
one who stood without a peer in the Army of the 
Potomac as a corps commander, General Hancock. 

At just one o'clock two guns broke the long sus- 
pense, and gave notice from what point the storm was 
likely to break forth. When an army is in position 
ready and waiting for an attack, the general feeling is 
that the sooner it commences the better. All nervous- 
ness and unrest at once disappear, as soon as the ac- 
tion is begun, for other thoughts crowd out doubt 
and fear and nerve the men up to meet the occasion. 
Almost immediately the great battery of eighty guns 
directly opposite the Second and Third Divisions of 
our corps, which had been brought into position dur- 
ing the forenoon, commenced a rapid discharge of 
shot and shell, and to the right and left along Sem- 
inary Ridge every gun that could be brought to bear 
joined to swell' the mighty chorus. They were all 
concentrated upon the narrow front of two divisions 
on the western face of Cemetery Hill. The commo- 
tion made in the rear of the line where there were many 
non-combatants was something wonderful to behold. 
Hundreds of army wagons belonging to the commis- 
sary and quartermaster's departments and many 
sutlers' teams of every kind and description were put 
to instant flight, and one, looking to the rear alone, 
would have thought that a defeated and panic- 
stricken army was making a hasty and disorderly 
retreat. General Meade was driven from his head- 
quarters a few rods behind the Second Corps on the 



GETTYSBURG 291 

Baltimore Pike, and sought a safer point of observa- 
tion on Powers Hill. There was soon nothing left 
but the long thin line of fighting men between Ceme- 
tery Hill and Little Round Top, invisible to the 
enemy as they held tightly in hand their muskets be- 
hind the stone wall and the rail fence, covered with a 
few shovelfuls of earth, and the artillery that stood 
out in the open. For two hours we lay behind our 
slight defenses with the air roaring and growling 
in our ears as if enraged with pain by the ragged iron 
that lashed and tore it in its flight. It was thought 
that at Malvern Hill, Antietam, and Fredericksburg 
we had heard war at its loudest note, but now we 
learned that it had been playing only on one of its 
minor keys up to this time, and perhaps never since 
have so many guns been concentrated on so narrow 
a space. Yet the effect was hardly commensurate with 
the noise and turmoil. The infantry did not suffer 
greatly, only four or five being hit in the regiment, 
but the artillery, being exposed, bore the heavy brunt 
of the loss. Eleven of our caissons were blown up, 
and two hundred and fifty horses belonging to the 
five batteries of the Second Corps were killed. Many 
men fell while working the guns and bringing up the 
ammunition, but not one left his post. So fine a spirit 
had never before been manifested. 

It was hoped and expected that this long continued 
and heavy cannonade would break down our de- 
fenses, such as they were, thin the lines, discourage 
and demoralize our forces, and thus prepare the way 
to success for the great columns which were to be 
launched against Cemetery Hill. As on the second 
day, Longstreet was still the right arm of Lee. To 
him was coijfided the task of forming the great col- 
umn of attack which was to be ready to move the 



292 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

moment the artillery became silent. He has described 
with clearness and much force the emotions which 
overmastered him on this occasion. He endeavored 
to persuade his commander to abandon his plans, 
which seemed to him without promise of success, 
and to substitute others less fraught with danger, but 
his advice was not heeded. For two hours he had 
watched the effect of his powerful artillery, but was 
not deceived, as were many about him, when Gen- 
eral Hunt ordered our guns to stop firing, into the 
belief that they had been silenced. He tells us that 
when the time had come for Pickett to advance he 
was so overcome by his emotions at what he believed 
was to be the fate of his brave men, that he could 
not speak and a nod of his head was taken as the 
signal to start. 

When the Confederate artillery ceased we saw 
the infantry emerge from the woods a mile in front, 
and knew that the great trial would soon be upon us. 
During the interval General Hunt substituted one 
or more batteries for those disabled, and replenished 
the ammunition chests. Pickett's division, the bri- 
gades of Garnett and Kemper forming the first line, 
and that of Armistead the second, first appeared, and 
then Pettigrew's division was discovered on his left. 
Following behind Pickett at a short distance was the 
division of Heth, now commanded by Pender; and 
as a guard to his right, the brigade of Wilcox, a little 
belated it is said, took up its line of march. In a few 
moments the seventeen thousand men had cleared 
the woods, and were in full view coming forward in 
splendid alignment to dispute with the Second Corps 
the possession of our works. It was a splendid spec- 
tacle, and one calculated to make less brave men 
fear and tremble. For nearly a third of the way this 



GETTYSBURG 293 

advance was practically unopposed, for the batteries 
of the Second Corps had nothing but canister left, 
and it would not answer to waste one of those pre- 
cious charges. The guns to the right and left were 
not so circumstanced, and they first began to use 
solid shot, and as the enemy approached nearer fired 
shells and canister, as best suited to the distance. 
At the Emmetsburg Road our skirmishers emptied 
their muskets and retired to the main line. 

When the first line was within two or three hun- 
dred yards of our position, the musketry fire was tre- 
mendous in volume and very effective. Hundreds 
fell at every discharge, and as Stannard's brigade 
struck the column on the left, the men crowded to- 
ward the centre; and before the stone wall, behind 
which stood Webb's brigade, was reached, all align- 
ment had disappeared and a great mass of men came 
rushing on with the heroic Armistead at their head 
waving his sword, and in a moment they were in the 
midst of our guns with their standards planted on our 
works. It was, however, no longer an organized force, 
with every one in his place subject to the voice of 
command, and capable of an exertion equal to its 
numbers, but a broken and disorganized body, 
crowded together into a narrow space, where only a 
small part could make effective use of their weapons. 
The weak and timid spirits had fallen out by the way, 
and the bravest of the brave were those who had dis- 
possessed Webb's men of a part of their works, and 
were now ready to risk their lives in holding them. 
Then followed a contest the like of which did not 
occur during the war except at the "bloody angle" 
at Spottsylvania, and there, too, was Hancock and 
the Second Corps. The brigade of Webb was not 
scattered, but pressed back a short distance from the 



294 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

wall, forming a curved line covering part of the po- 
sition won by Pickett's men, and leaving a space 
next to our brigade uncovered. Colonel Hall quickly 
moved his brigade by the right flank a little to the 
rear, so that when halted and brought to the front, 
it formed another curved line, and the two brigades 
nearly joined, making a half circle about the enemy. 
The opposing forces were but a few yards apart, and 
the conflict between them was what may without 
exaggeration be called desperate. 

The following diagram will give a better idea of 
the situation at this moment than can be conveyed 
by words. It was drawn by Colonel Hall and sent 
in with the report describing the part taken by his 
brigade in the battle. 






'^^ 
^*^ 



'^i 



*^ 



\ 



Mess 




From the moment that the men of the Twentieth 
commenced firing, the smoke was so thick that little 
could be seen, but there was no trouble in making 
it effective, for not less than three thousand men 
formed a vast crowd in front. The noise and turmoil 
were such that commands could not be heard, and 
every one fought in his own way. Eager men broke 
from the line and pushed up close to the enemy, 
until all appearance of formation was lost, and the 
regiment was no longer an organization. In little 
groups or singly these heroic soldiers stood up to 
the work and poured forth the deadly bullets, un- 
consciously moving forward until in actual contact. 



GETTYSBURG 295 

when they used the butts of their muskets and in 
this manner beat down the foe. No one can tell 
exactly how long this contest lasted, but Major Abbott, 
than whom no braver soldier stood on Cemetery 
Ridge that day, or one better qualified by his coolness 
to give a correct estimate, reported that it was about 
thirty minutes. Whether more or less it is useless 
to attempt to determine, but the time came when 
the survivors of Pickett's men saw that further ef- 
fort was useless, and fourteen hundred of them sur- 
rendered in close proximity to the rail fence. Others 
attempted escape and were pursued by our victori- 
ous troops as far as the Emmetsburg Road, and many 
more prisoners were taken by the way. 

Heth's division commanded by Pettigrew marched 
bravely to the left of Pickett's, which brought it in 
front of Hays's division on our right, but the wither- 
ing fire it received from behind the stone wall, and 
from the artillery, which struck it in front and on the 
flank, stopped the advance and soon sent the victors 
of the first day fleeing from our lines in a disorganized 
and hopeless rout. Trimble's forces, which marched 
in rear of Pickett, though suffering less than the 
others, were completely broken and put to flight. 
Wilcox's brigade, which for some reason started late 
while the field was covered with disorganized troops 
in hasty retreat to their own lines, probably unaware 
of the fate which had overtaken their comrades, still 
pressed forward far to the right, and continued on 
until they were nearly surrounded, when they faced 
about and no longer was there a Confederate soldier 
who had not been put out of the fight. Thus ended 
the great battle of Gettysburg. 

The fruits of the victory were great. The Second 
Corps took thirty-three regimental standards and 



296 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

four thousand prisoners. The dead and wounded 
covered the field hke a blanket. In Pender's division 
every field officer but three had been killed, wounded, 
or captured. Pickett's report was so distressful to 
read, presenting such a picture of death, wounds, 
broken columns, and shattered hopes, that at the 
earnest request of General Lee it was suppressed 
and never published. The three days resulted in a 
loss to the Confederate Army, according to the 
careful computation of Colonel Livermore, of twenty- 
eight thousand and sixty-three in killed, wounded, 
and prisoners, and to the Union Army of twenty- 
three thousand and forty-nine. 

When the regiment returned to its position in the 
evening there were but three officers with it; on the 
morning of the first day there were thirteen. Seven 
company commanders had been killed or wounded. 
Captain Patten and Second Lieutenant Cowgill were 
wounded in the skirmish line during the afternoon 
of the second. During the bombardment of the third 
day Colonel Paul J. Revere was wounded by a shell 
and died two days later. In the death of this officer 
the regiment met with a great loss. Joining it origi- 
nally as major, he had subsequently been upon 
the staff of General Sumner as assistant inspector- 
general of the Second Corps, where he had rendered 
much valuable service, and had only returned to 
the Twentieth on the 18th of the previous April, 
to become its third commander. With the wide ex- 
perience that had come to him thus early, added to 
his great natural gifts and that pure and sweet nature 
that won for him respect and admiration from all 
who were admitted to his intimacy, he was a worthy 
successor to the two superior officers who had pre- 
ceded him — Colonels Lee and Palfrey. 



GETTYSBURG 297 

There were in the battle thirteen officers and two 
hundred and thirty men, of which number thirty- 
one were killed, ninety-three wounded, and three 
missing, in accordance with the following list: — 

Field and Staff, Killed : Colonel Paul J. Revere. Wounded: 
Lieutenant-Colonel George N. Macy; Adjutant William H. 
Walker. 

Company A. Killed: First Sergeant George F. Cate; Privates 
Thomas Kelley, George L. Plant. Wounded: Second Lieu- 
tenant Lansing E. Hibbard; Corporals Joshua Besse, 2d, 
John C. Orcutt, James Sullivan; Privates OHver S. Bates, 
Bradford W. Beal, Martin Coon, Michael Gleason, James 
R. Hamilton, Leonard Harrington, Levi Lamson, Jr., 
Michael Harty, James K. Morse, Daniel Murphy, James 
R. Russell, Stephen B. Stewart, Thomas C. Tiernan, Lyman 
F. Tilton, George E. Wood. 

Company B. Killed: First Sergeant George Joeckel; Pri- 
vates Clemens Weisensee, John Dippolt. Wounded: Cor- 
poral Jacob Pfeiffer; Private Christian Wagner. 

Company C. Killed: Corporal Jacob Schlicker; Privates 
August Duttling, Alois Kraft. Wounded: First Sergeant 
James T. Goulding; Sergeant Patrick Huite; Privates 
Franz Huhn, Adolph Kernberger. 

Company D. Killed: Privates Alexander Aiken, William 
Inch, John Lovering, George Lucas, John Neary. Wounded: 
Captain Henry L. Patten; Sergeants J. Proctor, Charles 
J. Curtis; Privates John Brown, Hiram V. Howard, Edward 
Kestin, Marcus J. Long, Patrick Manning, John E. Murphy, 
Albert W. Stetson, James G. Warren. 

Company E. Killed: Corporal James C. Somerville; Pri- 
vates Thomas Downing, Jonathan F. Lucas. Wounded: 
First Sergeant William H. Carroll; Sergeant Charles F. 
Carpenter; Corporals Patrick Gorman, Arthur Johnson, 
Philip McGuire; Privates Malachi Garrity, Benjamin F. 
Hanaford, Moses H. Gale. 

Company F. Killed: Corporal Eugene McLaughhn; Pri- 



298 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

vates Thomas R. Gallivan, Peter Keefe, James Lane, John 
McLean, Patrick Quinlan, Felix Riley. Wounded: Second 
Lieutenant John KelUher; Corporals Arthur Hughes, David 
Leonard, John Powers; Privates Timothy Buckley, Patrick 
Fee, Thomas A. King, Edward McGrath, Thomas Wood- 
man. 

Company G. Killed: Privates Edward Barry, James O'Brien, 
Morgan Sweeney. Wounded: Second Lieutenant Charles 
Cowgill; First Sergeant Gustave Magnitsky; Sergeant Luke 
Miller; Corporal Patrick Coughhn; Private Thomas Glacken. 

Company H. Killed: Privates Michael Kinark, Hugh Blain. 
Wounded: Captain Herbert C. Mason; First Sergeant 
Edward Welton; Privates Thomas Donovan, Daniel Foley, 
Stephen Longfellow, Timothy Wiley. 

Company I. Killed: Second Lieutenant Sumner Paine; Cor- 
poral Elisha M. Smith; Privates Horace P. Burrill, Horatio 
L. Fay, Wilham F. Hill, Henry Jones. Wounded: Sergeants 
Benjamin B, Pease, Patrick Lanergan; Corporal William 
B. Low; Privates James Barry, Samuel Christian, Daniel 

B. Chase, Daniel McAdams, William B. Parker, Peter Wil- 
liams, Arthur M. Rivers. Missing: Private Wilham H. 
Barrett. 

Company K. Killed: First Lieutenant Henry Ropes; Pri- 
vates Charles Hearney, George S. Sawtelle, John L Burke. 
Wounded: First Sergeant Joseph H. Parker; Corporal 
Lishur G. White; Privates Thomas Broinham, Peter 
Kennan, Benjamin Jones, Chester A. Leonard, Marcus T. 

C. Miles, Edward Murphy. 






/ 



/ 



THIS MONUMENT MARKS THE POSITION OCCUPIED BY THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY 

IN LINE OF BATTLE JULY 2°- and 3°.- 1863 UNTIL ADVANCED TO THE FRONT OF THE COPSE OF 

TREES ON ITS IMMEDIATE RIGHT TO ASSIST IN REPELLING THE CHARGE OF 

LONGSTREET'S CORPS 

THIS TABLET IS PLACED BY THEIR COMRADES IN HONOR OF 

COLONEL PAUL JOSEPH REVERE 

FIRST LIEUTENANT HENRY ROPES SECOND LIEUTENANT SUMNER PAINE 

AND FORTY-ONE ENLISTED) MEN 

WHO WERE KILLED OR MORTALLY WOUNDED 



'i 



CHAPTER XIII 

FROM GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 

The day after the battle a violent rainstorm came 
on, drenching the earth and covering the lowlands 
with pools of water, which caused much discomfort 
and suffering to the wounded in the hospitals, and 
more to those lying unsheltered on the ground. 
Ewell's corps withdrew from our right and took up 
a line in prolongation of that of Longstreet along 
Seminary Ridge covering the Chambersburg Road. 
The Eleventh Corps occupied the town upon the 
withdrawal of the enemy, but nothing further of 
importance occurred during the day. The Con- 
federate forces retreated the following night along 
the three roads leading over the South 'Mountains, 
and in the morning were followed over the Fair- 
field route by the Sixth Corps and part of the cavalry; 
but direct pursuit was discontinued, and on the 7th 
the army was set in motion along the east side of 
the mountain ridge by way of Frederick. The ad- 
vantages of this flank march were that our forces 
were interposed between the enemy and the capital, 
while their march was unimpeded. This course 
was adopted on the advice of so good a soldier as 
General Sedgwick, who, having come up with the 
enemy at the foot of the mountains, had found them 
concentrated at the pass. It involved a much longer 
route and the probability of Lee crossing the Poto- 
mac before he could be overtaken, which, in fact. 



300 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

he would have done, but for the destruction of the 
pontoon bridge at Falling Waters by General French 
and the high state of the water occasioned by the 
heavy fall of rain on the fourth. Four corps of the 
army were across Antietam Creek by the night of the 
10th, and on the following day all our forces were in 
close proximity to the enemy, who had taken up and 
intrenched a strong position covering the crossings 
of the river. 

General William Hays was temporarily assigned 
to the command of the Second Corps, owing to the 
wounding of its commander, the gallant Hancock. 
The Twentieth had lost in the battle one hundred 
and fifteen officers and men, and was in numbers 
little more than a company. Major Abbott succeeded 
to its command and retained this position until his 
death in the Wilderness on tlie 6th of May, 1864. 
Only three of its commissioned officers had escaped 
uninjured. The regiment moved on the evening of 
the fifth to Two Taverns, on the seventh to Taney- 
town, on the eighth to Frederick City, on the ninth to 
Rohrersville, on the 10th to Tilghmanton, and from 
there on the 11th came into line with the corps in 
front of the enemy. For three days after leaving Get- 
tysburg we followed practically the same route we had 
taken in our pursuit of Lee to that place, and from 
that time on we were passing over the mountains 
and through the valleys that had become familiar 
to us in the campaign of the previous year, which 
culminated at Antietam. The marches had been hard, 
but there was no complaining, for the great victory 
had inspired the men and made them feel that the 
end of the war was no longer doubtful and nearer at 
hand than it was destined to be. 

Gettysburg, followed in a few days by news of 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 301 

the fall of Vicksburg, wrought the nation up to a 
high state of excitement, and after two such victo- 
ries it was thought that the Confederacy, disheartened 
and weakened by such heavy losses, would not be 
able to contend much longer with the power and 
resources of the Federal government. Such pleas- 
urable emotions were felt at the achievements ac- 
complished that the appetite for more was intense, 
and there grew up in the public mind a demand that 
the crowning blow that was to restore the national 
authority over every rood of our territory should not 
be delayed. As a consequence, when, on the morn- 
ing of the 14th of July, it was found that Lee had 
crossed the Potomac without a battle, there was not 
a little disposition shown to criticise General Meade 
for what was thought to be his lack of enterprise 
and the absence of that audacious courage which 
brings applause when successful, and is regarded 
as foolhardiness when coupled with disaster. It 
has been said before that there are no subjects upon 
which the public is so little qualified to form an 
opinion as those connected with military opera- 
tions, and the criticisms so freely made on General 
Meade in reference to this part of his career were 
not sanctioned or approved by the army. A careful 
examination of the lines behind which the Confed- 
erate forces had taken their position was made by 
our best officers after the evacuation, and the opin- 
ion was practically unanimous that to have attacked 
them on the 12th or 13th would have resulted in 
disaster. 

Lee followed the Shenandoah Valley in this re- 
treat, as he had done the previous year, and General 
Meade adopted the same route in pursuit that 
McClellan had taken after Antietam. There was, 



302 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

however, no delay. On the 17th and 18th the Army 
of the Potomac crossed the river at Harper's Ferry 
and a little below, at Berlin, on pontoon bridges, 
moving along the eastern base of the Blue Ridge 
and occupying all the mountain passes through 
which either army must march to reach the other. 

Lee, fearing that he might be cut off from his 
railroad communications, hastened up the valley, 
and on the 20th was at Culpeper Court House with 
Longstreet and Hill, being joined soon after by 
Ewell, who returned from an unsuccessful attempt 
to capture a force under General Kelly that was 
stationed along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad. 

The Twentieth moved to Sandy Hook on the 15th, 
where it remained the two following days. On the 
18th it crossed the Potomac, following the route 
already mentioned as taken by the army, and mpved 
to Hillsborough. On the 19th it reached Woodgrove, 
and on the night of the 20th encamped at Bloom- 
field, where it remained during the following day. 
On the 22d an early start was made and Paris 
reached during the day; on the 23d it arrived at 
Linden; on the 24th at Markham Station; and on 
the 25th at White Plains. Germantown was occu- 
pied on the 26th, where it rested for three days, and 
then moved on to Elk Run and reached the Rappa- 
hannock on the 31st. The Army of the Potomac 
was now holding the north bank of the river, and 
Lee guarded its crossings for many miles up and 
down, the two armies being in the same relative 
positions which they had held during the previous 
winter about fifty miles further down the stream. 
The campaign of Gettysburg was closed. 

General Meade was directed by the Washington 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 303 

authorities to take up and hold a threatening atti- 
tude along the Rappahannock, but not to move for 
the purpose of attacking the enemy. What the 
reasons were for such an order, whether good or 
bad, has never been known, and in all probability 
will never be revealed. It certainly was not at the 
request nor in accordance with the wishes of Gen- 
eral Meade, who was desirous of delivering a blow 
whenever and wherever the opportunity offered. 
The staff and administrative departments of the 
army had now arrived at such a state of efficiency 
that it was able to move in any direction at the short- 
est notice. General Lee subsequently withdrew to 
the south side of the Rapidan, and on the 13th of 
September the Army of the Potomac crossed the 
Rappahannock, taking up a position near Culpeper 
Court House, with the Second and Sixth corps 
thrown forward to the Rapidan. While in occupa- 
tion of the country between the two rivers, the 
Eleventh and Twelfth corps were detached and 
sent under command of General Hooker to the as- 
sistance of General Rosecrans at Chattanooga. This 
happened in consequence of Lee having sent Long- 
street's corps to that vicinity, where it took part in 
the battle of Chickamauga on the 19th of September. 
The army having been strengthened by a consid- 
erable number of recruits and the return of some 
of the forces that had been on detached duty, prepa- 
rations were being made for a movement by the right 
against Lee when information was received that the 
Confederate Army was about to make an attempt 
to get in our rear and cut off communications with 
Washington. As this information proved to be cor- 
rect, it was necessary at once to abandon the ag- 
gressive and assume a defensive attitude. It would 



304 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

never do to fight a battle with the enemy between 
us and the capital. This had been the one require- 
ment that was felt to be imperative by every com- 
mander of the Army of the Potomac. 

In the manoeuvring which followed, General 
Meade was to prove that he was as good a tactician 
as General Lee; and though no great achievements 
were won on either side, it is admitted that the honors, 
such as they were, were on the side of the Federal 
commander. It was the hope of General Lee that 
by making a wide detour he might pass by the right 
of the army undiscovered, as General Jackson did 
in 1862, and after gaining a position between it and 
Washington compel a battle on ground of his own 
choosing. 

In pursuance of this plan of operations, the Con- 
federate Army crossed the Rapidan on the 9th of 
October and advanced by way of Madison Court 
House, reaching the upper Rappahannock on the 
12th, and without much difficulty effected a cross- 
ing at Sulphur Springs and Waterloo. On the follow- 
ing day the march was resumed along the Warren- 
ton Pike with the design of reaching the Orange 
and Alexandria Railroad at or near Bristoe Station 
in advance of our forces. 

It was not until the evening of the 10th that the 
movement was sufficiently advanced to make prob- 
able what were the objects General Lee was attempt- 
ing to accomplish, and on the following day the 
Army of the Potomac fell back to the north bank of 
the Rappahannock. Our cavalry, which at this 
time was guarding the rear, fell in with the Con- 
federate cavalry under Stuart at Brandy Station, 
where a sharp engagement ensued. This led General 
Pleasanton into the belief that the enemy was mov- 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 305 

ing directly to attack us, instead of by the flank, 
and upon his report the Second, Fifth, and Sixth 
Corps were turned back and ordered to march in 
all haste to Brandy Station. This was unfortunate, 
for during the evening of the 12th General Gregg, 
commanding the Second Cavalry Division, reported 
that General Lee had crossed the river and was ad- 
vancing with his army towards Warrenton. 

The army was again headed towards Washington, 
and by the evening of the 12th the three corps that 
had been sent to Brandy Station were encamped 
about Bealton. A whole day had been wasted by 
the false impression contained in the despatch of 
General Pleasanton, and the men had suffered 
from the weariness and hardship of an unnecessary 
march. With only a few hours for rest, the order 
was given to fall in, and we were soon on the road for 
Fayetteville, which was reached about six o'clock 
on the morning of the 13th. Sleep had hardly closed 
the eyes of a single man for twenty-four hours, but 
after a few moments allowed for making coffee, the 
corps was again put in motion and hurried along 
as fast as possible during the day, for from the known 
position of Lee on the Warrenton Pike it was greatly 
feared that he would be able to intercept our retreat 
and place his army in a strong position between us 
and Washington. It was not until nine o'clock in the 
evening that we were permitted to go into camp 
near the little village of Auburn, just west of Cedar 
Run. For nearly forty-eight hours the corps had 
been on the march, and not a soldier had been able 
to sleep for more than an hour or two. This is still 
remembered by the surviving members of the Twen- 
tieth as the most trying day of their experience dur- 
ing the war, when not engaged in battle. The fol- 



306 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

lowing day the Second Corps was to form the rear 
guard of the army. At 10.30 p. m. of the 13th Gen- 
eral Meade issued a circular order for the army to 
be massed at Centre ville, if practicable. Somewhat 
later a confidential circular was sent to each corps 
commander informing him that Lee was moving 
on our left flank, and that every precaution must be 
taken to guard against an attack during the move- 
ments prescribed for the next day. The short dis- 
tance between the roads to be followed by either 
army rendered a conflict liable to occur at almost 
any hour. 

The Twentieth was called up between three and 
four o'clock on the morning of the 14th, and at the 
earliest light, in a dense fog, was on its way to cross 
Cedar Run, near the village of Auburn. The corps, 
with all its trains, passed safely over the stream; and 
as it was necessary to guard and reconnoitre the roads 
running to Warrenton and Greenville, from which 
points danger was to be expected, Caldwell's division, 
being in the rear, was halted and massed on a bald 
hill near the road, while the other two divisions con- 
tinued on towards Catlett's Station. 

Brooke's brigade was thrown out as skirmishers 
to cover the angle made by the Warrenton and Green- 
ville roads, and it was only a short time before the 
presence of the enemy was felt in the advance of 
Ewell's corps. The other brigades of the division, 
while resting on the hill, were cooking their coffee (as 
the whole corps had been put on the march as soon 
as the men were awakened and formed in line), when 
down the road from the direction of our march an 
artillery fire burst forth, and so accurate was the aim 
that the shells dropped into the midst of Caldwell's 
men with fatal effect. 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 307 

This was altogether a surprise and quite unex- 
plainable. A force of the enemy had interposed and 
apparently cut off the means of retreat, while Ewell's 
corps was rapidly concentrating and pressing back 
the skirmish line from an opposite direction on the 
same road. There was no way out of the difficulty 
except to force a passage through the opposing troops, 
and General Hays in the front was not slow in find- 
ing out the audacious foe who had so unexpectedly 
appeared to oppose our march to Catlett's. It proved 
to be General Stuart with part of his cavalry division, 
who on the previous evening, having found himself 
hemmed in between two of our corps, concealed his 
presence in a pine wood near the road, and with 
the first light of day discovering Caldwell's division 
massed near by, had opened his guns and for a mo- 
ment thrown us into some confusion; but the gal- 
lant Hays quickly brushed aside the horsemen, and 
the corps was again on the road to Catlett's, which 
it reached about noon. 

While there a message was received from General 
Meade stating that the road was open as far as Bris- 
toe, where the Third Corps was under orders to re- 
main until the arrival of the Second. This was com- 
forting information, for the long delay at Auburn had 
left a wide interval between us and the rest of the 
army. 

The fact that the road was clear of the enemy at 
noon did not render it certain that it would so remain, 
and General Warren conducted the march to Bristoe 
as if he expected attack at any moment. The Second 
Corps was then the smallest in the army, numbering 
about eight thousand men, but it had three division 
commanders in Hays, Webb, and Caldwell who were 
equal to any emergency, and capable of giving a good 



308 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

account of their commands, whoever should choose 
to attack them. Webb's division was put in march 
on the northwest side of the raih'oad track and Hays's 
on the southwest side, the two marching in parallel 
columns, while Caldwell protected the rear. A strong 
line of skirmishers was kept out on the side exposed 
to the enemy. When about two miles from Bristoe 
the sound of guns was heard from that direction, the 
rapidity of the firing indicating that a serious attack 
had been commenced upon that place. General Webb 
at once placed his division on the southeast side of 
the track, taking the lead from Hays, and gave the 
order to double-quick. The loss of Bristoe and the 
crossing of Broad Run meant the possible destruction 
of the corps. The situation rendered every exertion 
necessary, and banished all thought of the extreme 
hardship imposed upon the men by this enforced 
march. 

The situation was as follows: General Sykes, 
commanding the Third Corps, upon a false report 
that the Second Corps was in sight, at once put his 
troops on the road to Centreville, and the head of 
his column was so far away that he did not hear the 
sound of the cannon which had suddenly startled us 
two miles from Bristoe. General Lee had turned his 
whole army off from the Warrenton Pike for the pur- 
pose of striking the Army of the Potomac on the flank 
at Bristoe, while in retreat, or cutting off and destroy- 
ing a part of it. Hill's corps had arrived at Bristoe as 
the last brigade of Sykes's command was preparing 
to leave, and under the impression that the whole of 
Meade's army had crossed Broad Run in retreat, 
Poague's battery was hurried into position and com- 
menced a rapid fire, while Heth's division was being 
formed for an immediate attack and pursuit. It was 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 309 

not long, however, before this misconception was 
dissipated, for the flankers of Webb's division, com- 
ing into contact with the enemy, gave information to 
Heth that the Second Corps was still to the west, and 
he at once made new disposition of his forces for the 
purpose of seizing Bristoe, and cutting us off from 
the main army. Two brigades, in line of battle, sup- 
ported by the remainder of the division, were moving 
rapidly to gain this position as Webb's two brigades 
in columns of fours at double-quick, jaded and out 
of breath, dashed into the open plain near Bristoe. 
General Morgan, chief-of-staff to the Second Corps, 
was already on the ground, and with General Webb 
was forming the division on a ridge about three hun- 
dred yards to the southeast of the railroad, when Gen- 
eral Warren appeared, who, his correct eye instantly 
taking in the situation, ordered the troops to move 
at double-quick to the railroad embankment and 
make their stand there. As at Gettysburg, where this 
accomplished officer saved the Army of the Potomac 
on Little Round Top, so at Bristoe he saved the Sec- 
ond Corps from what might have been a great dis- 
aster or its possible destruction. When the embank- 
ment was gained, the enemy was charging down upon 
it in a line that overlapped Webb's division at either 
end; but Hays, forming on Webb's left, prolonged 
the line to the west so as to protect that flank from 
being turned. The men opened fire the moment they 
were in position, and the battle of Bristoe was on. 

Brown's battery was thrown across Broad Run 
upon a commanding knoll, and Hazard's battery was 
stationed on the ridge in rear of Webb's division. 
The attacking force consisted of Heth's division, the 
brigades of Cooke and Kirkland in the front line, 
supported by the brigades of Walker and Davis. The 



310 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

enemy had advanced halfway down the slope when 
Webb's division gained the railroad embankment. 
Except for a short distance on the right of the divi- 
sion, and near its left where the Brentsville Road 
crossed at grade, the men were well covered, and, for 
the first time in their experience thus far in the war, 
had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy coming on 
in open ground to wrench a position of much strength 
from their control. The moment the embankment 
was secured, fire was opened, and the distance be- 
tween the forces was so slight that it was terribly ef- 
fective. We could see the men dropping rapidly from 
the ranks, the line soon losing its close formation and 
becoming wavy in shape, bulging forward here and 
receding there, as the shower of bullets fell with va- 
rying effect upon the different parts of the line. These 
were brave men that were attempting to cut off the 
Second Corps from the army, the same that opened 
the battle at Gettysburg, and suffered in killed and 
wounded far in excess of Pickett's men in that battle, 
and perhaps thought that here they might have a 
sweet revenge if they could only gain a few more rods 
of ground and hold the crossing of Broad Run. More 
than one battle flag dropped from the hands that were 
carrying them, to be instantly caught up and pushed 
forward to the front. Between the right of Webb's 
division and Broad Run, there was an open space of 
about a hundred yards, through which a part of Kirk- 
land's brigade passed and commenced firing down 
the line, but the Eighty-second New York by a change 
of front was soon upon them and killed, wounded, 
and captured the entire force. At the Brentsville 
Crossing our line was broken, but Colonel Mallon 
of the Tammany regiment, at the time commander 
of the brigade, by his heroic exertions rallied his 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 311 

broken regiment and brought it back to a counter 
attack which was successful; but it cost the gallant 
officer his life. Along the whole line the enemy was 
now in full retreat, and our men jumped over the em- 
bankment and secured four hundred and sixty pris- 
oners, and brought in five guns of Poague's battery 
that had pushed well to the front, and been left with- 
out support upon the repulse of the charge. 

During the battle the Twentieth was stationed 
under excellent cover to the west of the B rents ville 
Road. Major Abbott closely watched the advance of 
the Confederates, and, though the firing was hot all 
along the right, ordered the men to await the com- 
mand, and when the word was given they were less 
than a hundred yards away. Then came a sudden 
volley that stopped the force in our immediate front 
and sent them broken to the rear. The men behaved 
with coolness and, as the danger to themselves was 
not great as long as the embankment was held, kept 
up their fire with deliberate aim while it was contin- 
ued. In his official report Major Abbott gave the 
credit of suggesting and effecting the capture of two 
guns to Corporal George Curtis of the Andrew Sharp- 
shooters, who were then serving with the regiment. 
Most of the new recruits, who were a large part of 
the command, behaved like veterans and won their 
place as worthy comrades in the hearts of the old 
and tried few that still remained. 

Though the attack had been thus handsomely re- 
pulsed, it was not supposed for a moment that the 
battle had ended. It was known that the whole of 
Hill's corps was on the field, that Ewell was pressing 
forward upon our left, and that the whole Confed- 
erate Army was within three miles. In a short time 
Caldwell's division, which had acted as rear guard 



312 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

to the corps, came up and took position on the left of 
Hays's division. The whole corps, consisting of not 
more and probably less than eight thousand men 
(one brigade being detached as guard to the wagon 
train), was now united and in line of battle along the 
railroad embankment, confronted by not less than 
forty thousand men. It was impossible to retreat at 
this time in face of such a force, and there was no 
alternative but to remain and await whatever fate 
might mete out to the corps. 

The quick and complete defeat of Hetli's attack 
rendered new dispositions necessary. General Hill 
realized that he had acted hastily and brought on 
an action without adequate preparation and with 
too small a force. This fault he candidly admitted 
in his official report, and gave as his only justifica- 
tion the necessity of attempting to do something 
to save the whole campaign from being a complete 
failure. If he had failed to attack and the last 
of Meade's army had been permitted to escape, he 
thought he would have been considered in fault. To 
reorganize his shattered division and bring up other 
troops into the front line required time, the length 
of which insured the safety of the Second Corps. 

it was about half past four o'clock when Heth's 
division was driven away, and in mid-October there 
are not many hours of daylight remaining after 
that hour for military operations. General Warren, 
appreciating the danger of his situation, anxiously 
waited for the coming on of darkness, under cover 
of which alone he knew that it was possible for 
him to withdraw. To him the minutes seemed like 
hours, and hours like days. The enemy were rapidly 
bringing their artillery into place, and everything 
gave promise of a renewed attack. But nothing 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 313 

was attempted beyond sharp skirmish firing, the 
pushing forward of Ewell's corps so near upon the 
left as to make its presence felt against Caldwell's 
division, and the sweeping of Bristoe Plain with can- 
non balls. The good work of Webb's and Hays's 
divisions had been so effective, that Hill was obliged 
to postpone until the morrow what should have been 
accomplished that afternoon. 

The friendly night came on with its covering of 
darkness, and preparations were made to withdraw 
as soon as it could be done with hope of success. 
Orders were sent along the line that no fires should 
be kindled nor matches lighted. For once officers 
and men were obliged to forego the pleasure and 
relief that comes from the cigar and pipe after the 
fatigue and strain of such a day; and as all could 
see the danger which would result from an infrac- 
tion of such an order, it is said that it was not broken 
by any one of the eight thousand men to whom it 
was communicated. Until the corps was well over 
and beyond Broad Run, no order was given save in 
a whisper. 

While the fires in the Confederate camps were 
burning brightly and the noises that generally arise 
from a great encampment were distinctly heard, 
within the Federal lines everything was darkness 
and silence. The pickets were drawn in, and about 
nine o'clock the corps commenced the crossing of 
Broad Run, partly by the railroad bridge, and partly 
by the ford, and so quietly was this accomplished 
that no knowledge of it was conveyed by light or 
sound to the enemy, whose pickets were only a few 
rods away. When morning came they were surprised 
to find no one in their front. As soon as the run was 
passed, a sense of security came over the command. 



314 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

but to wearied men a night march brought its hard- 
ships, and when the corps reached Bull Run near 
Blackburn's Ford they dropped to the ground and 
were asleep almost as soon as it was struck. From 
the time the corps left Bealton on the morning of the 
12th until it reached Blackburn's Ford, sixty-nine 
hours had elapsed, sixty of which had been devoted 
to marching, skirmishing, and fighting, while only 
nine had been given to rest. 

The danger which the corps was fortunate enough 
to escape owed its origin to the error of General 
Sykes, the commander of the Third Corps. In the 
confidential circular sent to each corps commander 
on the morning of the 14th General Meade had 
expressed the opinion that Lee would send down 
a column to Bristoe for the purpose of striking the 
army in flank during the march or cutting off the 
corps in the rear. To guard against such danger 
his orders were clear and explicit, and if followed 
intelligently there would have been no occasion for 
alarm. The Third Corps was directed to remain 
at Broad Run until the arrival of the Second Corps, 
and the Fifth Corps within supporting distance of 
the two. A staff oflficer having incorrectly reported 
the sighting of the Second Corps near to Bristoe, 
General Sykes, without waiting to verify the fact, 
set his columns in march, leaving us alone in the 
near presence of the whole Confederate Army, and 
to extricate ourselves as best we could without as- 
sistance. 

The conduct of General Warren won the confi- 
dence of officers and men alike. His arrival at the 
head of the column at a fortunate moment has 
already been mentioned, and General Francis A. 
Walker, then serving on his staff, says, that if it had 



GETTYSBURG TO THE RAPIDAN 315 

been delayed for five minutes, it is probable that the 
corps would have met with disaster. General Meade 
issued a congratulatory order to the army on the con- 
duct of the Second Corps, in which he said "The 
skill and promptitude of Major-General Warren" 
and "the gallantry and bearing of the officers and 
soldiers are entitled to high commendation." 

The losses for the day were 31 officers and 354 
men, killed and wounded, to which must be added 
161 missing. The enemy's casualties were 1244, 
including three general officers, while the Second 
Corps carried away as trophies two battle flags and 
five pieces of artillery. The Twentieth, having dur- 
ing the action been under cover of the railroad em- 
bankment, suffered a small loss as follows : — 

Company B. Killed: Private Gebhart Raubs. Wounded: 
Private Michael Kessler. 

Company E. Wounded: Corporal Joseph Smitts. 

Company F. Wounded: Private Terrence McGuire. 

Company H. Wounded: Sergeant John Doyle; Private John 
McGuire. 

Company K. Wounded: Private Thomas Brown. 



CHAPTER XIV 

RAPPAHANNOCK STATION AND MINE RUN 

With the concentration of the Army of the Potomac 
about Centreville, on the 15th of October, 1863, the 
Bristoe campaign was at an end. General Lee had 
failed in his object of heading off the army so as to 
compel a battle on terms favorable to himself, or of 
cutting into it by his flaiik march to Bristoe Station. 
Not only had his whole plan failed, but in carrying 
it into execution he had suffered considerable loss, 
and there was some ground for the feeling that his 
good fortune was beginning to slip away from him. 

General Meade, not content with the negative 
results that had been gained, determined to move 
forward and bring the enemy to battle if he were 
still willing to accept it. After a needed rest of a few 
days, the army was again in motion on the morn- 
ing of the 20th. The Second Corps moved through 
Gainesville and Greenwich to Auburn, where it re- 
mained for two days. There was no appearance of 
the enemy, for General Lee had retired soon after 
his unfortunate attack at Bristoe. Having remained 
two days at Auburn, we marched on the 23d to a 
position about equidistant between Warrenton and 
Warrenton Junction, and remained there in a com- 
fortable camp for nearly two weeks. It was gener- 
ally believed that at this time General Meade was 
in favor of a flank march to Fredericksburg, but 
his proposition was unfavorably received at Wash- 
ington, and he was obliged to abandon it. 



RAPPAHANNOCK AND MINE RUN 317 

On the 7th of November the whole army was 
again in motion for the Rappahannock, the Second 
Corps arriving that day at Kelly's Ford by way of 
Warrenton Junction, Bealton, and Morris ville. Lee 
had already crossed to the south side of the river, 
leaving two brigades of Early's division on the north 
bank to guard the railroad bridge at Rappahannock 
Station. Two brigades of the Sixth Corps, com- 
manded by Russell and Upton, carried the posi- 
tion by assault about sunset, capturing fifteen hun- 
dred prisoners, six colors, and four guns. This was 
considered one of the most brilliant assaults of the 
war, as the enemy was protected by strong fortifica- 
tions and the force engaged in it was comparatively 
small. 

At about the same time the Third Corps effected 
a crossing at Kelly's Ford with little loss, taking 
between two and three hundred prisoners. On the 
following morning the Second Corps crossed the 
river to support the Third Corps, after which the 
two moved to the right, joining the Fifth and Sixth 
Corps near Rappahannock Station, from which 
place the whole army was pushed forward in expec- 
tation of a battle in the great plain about Brandy 
Station. General Lee avoided the conflict by hastily 
withdrawing his army and placing the Rapidan 
between the two forces. During the two months 
that had elapsed since he started out for the purpose 
of attacking Meade's communications, he had lost 
about five thousand men, and though no great 
battle had been fought, his troops had met with 
disaster in three minor conflicts. 

It was a new experience for us to see the Army 
of the Potomac in pursuit of the retreating Army 
of Northern Virginia — both moving along the same 



318 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

road. It was cheering and inspiring to officers and 
men alike. That the turn in the fortunes of that 
valiant army had come was no longer doubted, and 
its refusal of an offered battle on its chosen camping 
ground was looked upon as evidence that the con- 
fidence of its commander in its ability to meet its 
opponent on even ground was waning. An expecta- 
tion of remaining between the Rappahannock and 
the Rapidan during the winter was apparent in the 
comfortable huts that had already been erected, 
and in the expenditure of much labor on the repairing 
of old roads and the building of new ones, to facili- 
tate a rapid concentration of the army in case of 
necessity and make easy the supplying of its wants 
if undisturbed. 

The Second Corps went into camp near Stevens- 
burg, with headquarters in a fine old house which 
commanded an extensive view of the country in 
every direction. Here they remained until the 26th 
of November, when that campaign commenced that 
is known as 

MINE RUN 

The season had so far advanced that the belief 
had become quite general that we were settled down 
for the winter, with little prospect of further active 
operations until spring should bring back warm 
weather and dry roads. Though we had heard much 
at home of the sunny South with its tropical foliage 
and sweet-singing birds, two years of experience in 
its northern belt had taught us that there, at least, an 
Arctic wave, as hard to bear if not quite a scold as any- 
thing known in New England, was liable to sweep 
down at any time. During the preceding December, 
while at Acquia Creek, we saw the Potomac frozen over 



RAPPAHANNOCK AND MINE RUN 319 

during a single night to such an extent as to prevent 
the docking of steamers, although at that place the 
river is three miles in width and subject to the tides; 
while at intervals storms of rain and sleet and snow 
occurred as pitiless in their severity as any known 
south of the Canadian line. At times, too, when the 
thermometer would not register very low, the air 
would be charged with cold and moisture of such 
penetrating power that no thickness of clothing could 
keep it out, pinching the features, shivering the frame, 
and driving the blood back to its central source as if 
afraid to meet its contact. With such memories com- 
mon to all, the order for a forward movement against 
Lee in quest of battle beyond the Rapidan was not 
received with much enthusiasm, although no reluc- 
tance was exhibited to comply with it. 

The Confederate Army was then in what it sup- 
posed to be its winter quarters, situated on the south 
side of the river, well back from the water on con- 
venient and healthy camping ground. It extended 
from Barnett's to Morton's fords, a distance of about 
twenty miles, with intrenchments covering its entire 
front and with each flank protected by cavalry. 

General Meade's plan was to cross the Rapidan 
in three columns; the first, consisting of the Third 
and Sixth Corps, at Jacob's Ford, which was nearest 
the enemy; the second, being the Second Corps, at 
Germanna Ford; and the third, comprising the First 
and Fifth Corps, at Culpeper Mine Ford. His hope 
was to throw the whole army around the right of the 
Confederate intrenchments and strike Ewell's corps, 
which would first be met, before Hill, some twenty 
miles away, would be able to render assistance. 

Unfortunately, General French, in command of 
the right column, was some hours late in arriving at 



320 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the river, and for this reason and others not neces- 
sary to mention the concentration of the army about 
Robertson's Tavern on the evening of the 26th was 
not effected as the plan required. Disappointed but 
not disheartened by a partial failure of three com- 
plicated movements, General Meade directed that 
they should be taken up at daylight on the morning 
of the 27th, and pushed vigorously forward until 
completed. 

General Warren arrived at Robertson's Tavern 
with the Second Corps at about ten o'clock in the 
morning of the 27th, and General Hays, commanding 
the Third Division, very soon came in conflict with 
the leading division of Ewell's Corps commanded 
by General Hays. The First Corps, under Newton, 
was also in position to the left at Parker's store, and 
General Sykes was at New Hope Church with the 
Fifth Corps. These three corps had traveled the 
longer route, but nothing had been seen or heard of 
the Third and Sixth Corps, which were in the morning 
only about six miles distant from Robertson's Tavern. 
When General French arrived at Morris's, instead 
of taking the left-hand road as directed, he halted his 
column, and after remaining for some time in a state 
of indecision, finaliy turned to the right, which brought 
him irxto conflict with Johnson's division; and with 
thirty-seyen thousand men under him he allowed that 
single division of not more than five or six thousand 
to delay and neutralize his powerful force for the re- 
mainder of the aStY' As a consequence the several 
corps were not concentrated until the morning of the 
28th, and all hope of meeting the enemy in detach- 
ments or under circumstances unfavorable to him 
was necessarily abandoned. 

General Lee had received early information of our 



RAPPAHANNOCK AND MINE RUN 321 

crossing, from his cavalry outposts and signal sta- 
tions, and with that quickness of decision that was 
one of his characteristics issued orders for the placing 
of two corps in such positions that they should be 
ready for any emergency which he thought likely to 
confront him. During the night of the 26th he with- 
drew his army from its intrenchments, leaving Gen- 
eral Fitz Hugh Lee's cavalry division to hold the for- 
tifications in front of the Rapidan. On the morning 
of the 27th Ewell's corps was moving by the old 
turnpike and Raccoon Ford roads to Robertson's 
Tavern, and Hill, preceded by Hampton's cavalry, 
was hastening down the Plank Road, arriving at 
Mine Run about two o'clock in the afternoon. Soon 
after the two corps were in connection, forming a 
new line behind Mine Run and facing to the east. 
At daylight of the 28th the First, Second and Sixth 
Corps moved forward along the pike in line of bat- 
tle, pressing back the enemy's pickets ; and as a heavy 
rainstorm had set in, it was nearly dusk by the time 
the three corps reached the eastern bank of the Run. 
The hostile armies were again face to face, separated 
by a narrow stream running through a deep ravine, 
and about a thousand yards of cleared land rising 
up on a gentle incline to an elevation of a hundred 
feet or more, the top of which was crowned by in- 
trenchments of great strength for infantry and ar- 
tillery, in front of which had been placed a line 
of abatis. The storm continued during the day and 
well into the night, causing much discomfort to all 
and extreme misery to many. 

The whole of the 29th was spent in examining 
the hostile lines for favorable positions to attack, 
and in the moving of the Second Corps, with Terry's 
division of the Sixth Corps under Warren, further 



322 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

to the left against the right of Hill's corps, which 
rested at Antioch Meeting-House, about a mile south 
of the Plank Road. 

Three points had been discovered which were 
thought practicable for assault, — one to the left in 
front of Warren, one in front of the Third Corps, 
and one in front of the Sixth Corps at the extreme 
right of our line. During the evening, General French 
having reported that the proposed attack on his 
front was inadvisable, two divisions of the Third 
Corps were ordered to report to General Warren. 
During the night the Fifth and Sixth Corps were 
moved to the right, both being under General Sedg- 
wick, and General Warren was ordered to assault 
at eight o'clock on the- morning of the 30th, General 
Sedgwick following an hour later, while the artillery 
of the centre and right kept up a rapid and contin- 
uous fire between eight and nine. 

General Warren reported that he had postponed 
his attack at about the hour it was directed to com- 
mence, for the reason that he no longer believed in 
its success, and in consequence of this intelligence 
General Sedgwick was directed to withhold his ad- 
vance. General Meade rode over to Warren's head- 
quarters, and upon consultation and from personal 
examination approved of his action, or rather want 
of action, and reluctantly decided that the army 
should be withdrawn. 

During the night of December 1, without the 
knowledge of the enemy, the army was in retreat, 
and recrossed the' Rapidan without molestation, and 
was again in its old camps on the following day. 
Though this campaign was admitted to be a sorry 
failure, it had not been a disastrous one. The Third 
Corps lost 952 in its encounter with Johnson's di- 



RAPPAHANNOCK AND MINE RUN 323 

vision, which got off with the lesser number of 498. 
There was little else than skirmishing, for which each 
corps was obliged to report a few killed and wounded. 
Besides, more or less stragglers were picked up by the 
enemy during the retreat, making the total loss about 
fifteen hundred. 

The Twentieth, under command of Major Abbott, 
was with the Second Corps, and shared with its fel- 
lows of the army the discomforts and hardships that 
were common to all. It did its share of work on the 
skirmish line, and was out more or less upon picket 
duty. The 28th, 29th, and 30th of November will 
always be remembered as the days of greatest suffer- 
ing ever endured by the army when operating against 
the enemy, for a day and night of driving rain, fol- 
lowed by days of cold so intense that sentinels were 
found dead and frozen at their posts, was not again 
experienced during the war. Our casualties were 
small. Corporal James Marsh of Company B being 
killed, and Henry Barg taken prisoner and dying 
subsequently in Andersonville Prison. 



CHAPTER XV 

WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 

From Mine Run the regiment returned to its old 
camp, where it remained until the 7th of December, 
when the corps moved for a short distance from 
Stevensburg and settled down for the winter on Cole's 
Hill. The men at once commenced to build huts 
which they were destined to occupy until they were 
finally abandoned on the 3d of the following May. 
They were constructed of logs, roofed with canvas, 
with wooden chimneys plastered over with Virginia 
mud, which sticketh closer than a brother to any 
material with which it may come in contact. An ex- 
perience of two successive winters was not without 
its value, for it taught the men what was needed 
for comfort in such a climate and how to produce it 
in a soldier's habitation. There were plenty of pine 
forests from which to draw the requisite material 
and plenty of mother wit to put it together and fill 
the interstices in a way to keep out the winter winds, 
that at times fiercely swept over the plains of Cul- 
peper. One of the many advantages gained by 
sending recruits into the old regiments, instead of 
forming them into new ones, was that they were 
taught by the example of their veteran comrades 
just what to do and how to do it, both for health 
and comfort. For some days we were an army of 
woodchoppers ; the clear sharp ring of the axe and 
the rushing sound of falling trees, as their broom- 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 325 

like tops swept through the air, furnished a pleasing 
contrast to the rattling of musketry and the roar of 
cannon. Not a few were reminded of former experi- 
ences in the lumbering districts of their native States. 

The army was encamped in a half circle around 
Culpeper Court House, facing the Rapidan, with 
headquarters at Brandy Station. Extensive picket 
lines were established and properly supported by 
reserves. Beyond the infantry and nearer the enemy 
was a line of cavalry videttes, many miles in extent, 
and unbroken save at Mitchell's Station, where for 
a long time a brigade of the First Corps furnished 
an infantry picket on the line of cavalry outposts. 
During a period of five months thousands of men, 
drawn in detachments from each regiment, were 
to walk their beats over the same line of twenty 
miles or more in extent every day and every night. 
Fronting the enemy, they were the eyes and ears 
of the army, and it was their duty to report any 
movement seen, or any suspicious sounds heard, to 
always be alert and ever ready to offer resistance 
to any hostile demonstration or stealthy attempt at 
surprise. A narrow ribbon of water, called the Rapi- 
dan, was for a whole season the Rubicon dividing 
two provinces, the passing of which by either army 
would be the signal for battle. Until May, how- 
ever, the peace of each remained practically undis- 
turbed. 

The district which was to be for so long the home 
of the Army of the Potomac took its name from 
Lord Culpeper, one of the early colonial governors 
of Virginia. It contained a population of about ten 
thousand, evenly divided between whites and blacks. 
Its surface was a rolling plain that sloped off im- 
perceptibly from the Blue Ridge to the tide-water 



326 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

lands. Three or four isolated mountains of no great 
height were scattered over it, made up of the waste 
material of rock and earth that had been tossed off 
or dropped carelessly about during the construction 
of the Alleghanys. The country was more open and 
better cultivated than Stafford County, where we 
made our last winter home in Virginia. Improved 
farms covered more than half of its area, and before 
the war they had produced abundant and remun- 
erative crops of wheat, tobacco, rye, and corn. It 
contained a number of old families of wealth and in- 
fluence, living in large and substantial mansions, of 
the style of architecture peculiar to Virginia, which 
gave evidence of comfort, culture, and refinement. 
The Honorable John Minor Botts, who had been for 
years one of the foremost men of the Old Dominion, 
owned a large estate near the Court House, where 
he made his home during the war, except for the 
periods when Mr. Davis kept him a prisoner in Rich- 
mond Jail on the charge of treason to the Confejderacy. 
Many an officer, and soldier too, will remember the 
pleasant and hearty greeting extended to him by 
this stalwart patriot at his hospitable mansion. His 
influence was great throughout this section, and as 
a consequence we found the Union sentiment here 
more prevalent than in many other parts of Virginia. 
The population was scattered about quite evenly 
over the country, on farms, great and small, there 
being no towns nor villages, save the Court House, 
where before the war a population of some six or 
seven hundred might have been counted. On the 
whole, Culpeper is looked back upon as having fur- 
nished the pleasantest of our various long encamp- 
ments. 

Nearly two years and a half of our term of enlist- 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 327 

ment had now expired. These years had made fear- 
ful gaps in our ranks. There was but little resem- 
blance between the Twentieth Massachusetts of July, 
1861, and the Twentieth Massachusetts of Decem- 
ber, 1863. It bore the scars of war thick upon it — 
scars received at Ball's Bluff, Fair Oaks, Malvern 
Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg, and in many other minor engagements. 
The name of no one of the Field and Military 
Staff, that rode so proudly at its head on leaving 
Massachusetts, was now upon its rolls. Colonel 
William Raymond Lee was discharged for disabil- 
ity, contracted at Ball's Bluff and aggravated by 
the tortures of prison life thereafter endured. Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Francis W. Palfrey was obliged to 
quit the service on account of wounds received at 
Antietam, which shortened his life, but not until 
he had been promoted to the colonelcy. Major 
Paul Revere, succeeding Palfrey as its third colonel, 
was killed at Gettysburg; and now Major Abbott, 
in years merely a youth, being but twenty-one years 
of age, was in command of the regiment. Adjutant 
Charles Lawrence Peirson had resigned to make a 
new reputation as colonel of the Thirty-ninth Massa- 
chusetts, and Assistant Surgeon Edward H. R. 
Revere was killed at Antietam. 

Of the ten original captains, Ferdinand Dreher 
was dead; William F. Bartlett, after holding the 
colonelcy of the Forty-ninth Massachusetts, was 
still in the service as a brigadier-general; Caspar 
Crowninshield was major of the Second Massachu- 
setts Cavalry; George A. Schmidt and Allen Shep- 
ard, both partially disabled, had been transferred 
to the Invalid Corps; and the rest had been dis- 
charged for various causes. Of the twenty lieuten- 



328 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

ants only five remained, each holding a commission 
of higher rank. 

The rank and file, who bear the heaviest burden 
of every war, had suffered no less than those who 
commanded them. Twelve officers and one hun- 
dred and fifty-nine men had thus far been killed in 
battle, twenty-seven officers and four hundred and 
eighteen men had been wounded, and five officers 
and one hundred and twenty-four men had been 
taken prisoners, making a total of casualties, as 
figured in war bulletins, of seven hundred and forty- 
five, equal to the numbers of officers and men con- 
stituting the regiment when mustered into the United 
States service in July, 1861. It is true that many re- 
cruits had been received who figure in the above list, 
but still it is a record with few parallels. On the re- 
tui'n from Mine Run there were about one hundred 
and fifty present for duty, including officers. 

It was not alone the few huts that made up the 
company streets that suggested painful thoughts, 
but a moral question had recently arisen, ever grow- 
ing in importance, that caused those who took pride 
in the record the regiment had made for itself and 
the Commonwealth, to look forward with anxiety 
lest the brightness of that record should not be main- 
tained. The recruits received in 1861 and 1862 had 
proved worthy associates of the men earlier in the ser- 
vice, but during 1863 a new element had been received, 
the value of which was far below the old standard. 
It was known that many new men would be forwarded 
before the opening of the spring campaign, and 
what their character would be was a constant sub- 
ject of speculation, interest, and fear. Wlien at length 
they began to come in, each squad was looked at 
and inspected with curious and critical eyes, to form 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 329 

an estimate as to whether or not they were likely 
to prove reliable in the day of battle. The few re- 
maining veterans who had stormed up the streets 
of Fredericksburg and hurled back Pickett's charge 
at Gettysburg, had an interest in those who were 
to be on their right and left in the like days that were 
sure to come, and they eyed the new men as if in 
some way they thought their own destinies were 
intimately connected with them. This inspection 
was often far from inspiring confidence in the future. 
The first of the new recruits arrived on the 1st of 
March, a mere handful, numbering only twenty, 
and on the 22d of the same month, eighteen more 
came in. On the 17th of April one hundred and six- 
teen were received. This was an event of moment 
that changed the character of the regiment. Here- 
tofore it had been largely composed of Americans, 
with some foreigners, but more native born of foreign 
parents, — all, however, speaking a common lan- 
guage. Nearly all of the last acquisition were Ger- 
mans who could not speak a word of English. They 
were of good physique, above the average height, 
with light hair, blue eyes, and fair complexions, of 
the same racial type that Caesar saw and described 
when first his legions crossed the Rhine into Germany. 
How and by whom they had been gathered up, or 
from what motive they had come across the water 
to take part in the American Civil War was a matter 
of conjecture and not of knowledge. It was certain 
that they had not been sent into the service by any 
foreign potentate, for hire, as were the Hessians in 
the Revolution; and that there must have been an 
exercise of the individual will in their coming, was 
something to be considered in forming an opinion 
of the value of their acquisition. It was not difficult 



330 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

to conjecture what their feelings were as they looked 
out upon the dreary wastes of the Culpeper plains, 
and were drawn up, dressed in regulation blue, for 
distribution among the various companies; and as 
they began to settle down among strangers with whom 
they could not fraternize, and under commanders with 
whom they could not converse. They had scarcely 
got within the huts assigned to them, when, moved 
by a common impulse, they sought relief from their 
overcharged feelings in singing their familiar German 
songs. Officers and men gathered about them and 
listened with interest, sympathy, and pity as these 
exiles from a foreign land poured forth along the Rapi- 
dan for the first time notes of joy and sorrow brought 
from the land of the Partha and the Danube. There 
were many voices of much sweetness and power among 
them, and for hours the camp resounded with this 
unfamiliar music. There was a pathos in the tones 
of these voices that fitted well with the pathos of 
their surroundings. Major Abbott was much im- 
pressed with this musical acquisition and on the 
night of their arrival took them out and gave Gen- 
eral Gibbon a serenade. At the latter's request they 
were taken a few days later for the same purpose 
to the headquarters of General Hancock, who was 
much pleased with the entertainment and expressed 
his thanks to Major Abbott for the compliment paid 
him. On the 1st of May eighty-two more recruits 
were received, two days before we started on our 
most memorable campaign. 

Nor were the changes that had taken place in the 
army less marked, though in some respects differing 
in character, than those already described as affect- 
ing the regiment. By a process of evolution that had 
been going on from an early date, and for causes 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 331 

that it would not be well to state, all but three of 
the forty odd general officers exercising command 
on the peninsula had been eliminated, and Gen- 
eral Meade, first heard of as commanding a brigade 
at Gaines Mill, was commander-in-chief; General 
Hancock, who won the title of "Superb" while ex- 
ercising the same limited command at Williamsburg, 
was commander of the Second Corps ; General Sedg- 
wick, a division commander at Fair Oaks, was chief 
of the Sixth Corps, and the Fifth Corps was now to 
be led by General Warren, who fought with Meade 
at Gaines Mill as a colonel of New York Volunteers. 
It is not recalled that such sweeping changes had 
ever been made in the history of war in the directing 
forces of an army. In a little over two years we had 
served under four commanders-in-chief, had seen 
over twenty corps commanders come and go, while 
division chiefs had been so numerous that even their 
names could hardly be remembered. 

On the other hand, the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia rounded out its history under Lee and five 
permanent corps commanders, while many of the 
divisions and brigades are still known to us by the 
names of their commanding officers, so long was 
their association continued. The Confederacy, by 
great good fortune or by a wonderful insight on 
the part of the appointing power, discovered its great 
leaders at the beginning of the war, and the vacan- 
cies caused by death or wounds were invariably 
filled by promotion from those who in lower grades 
had given evidence of fitness for higher commands. 
For two years political and personal influence were 
potent factors at Washington in army appointments, 
and its baneful effect was always felt, though during 
the last few years with lessened force. 



332 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

A winter encampment is generally considered by 
those not familiar with it as a period of idleness and 
rest. It is rather a time when one kind of work is 
dropped and another of no small importance is 
taken up and prosecuted without ceasing. An army 
with a powerful enemy confronting it is never idle. 
There is always plenty of work to do. With the long 
encampment comes a relaxation from that strain 
upon the nervous system which during an active 
campaign is always present and bears down upon 
the physical powers of the men with a force that 
would break down the strongest constitution but 
for the change of scenes and occupation which the 
frosts of winter are sure to bring about. Without 
such rest and relief it is doubtful if one in a hundred, 
though immunity from every other danger was se- 
cured, would be able to survive three successive 
campaigns like those of 1863 or 1864. Hence it 
was that the order to go into winter quarters was 
received with quiet satisfaction. The sentiment per- 
vading the army was entirely different from that 
which wrapped it in gloom and discouragement the 
year previous, when returning to the Stafford Hills 
after the battle of Fredericksburg. The expectation, 
which was destined to be disappointed, was that 
before another summer solstice should be reached 
the southern Confederacy would be numbered among 
the shadow of things that were. The tone of the 
camp was cheerful and hopeful. For the veterans of 
the regiment there were only six months more to serve, 
unless, indeed, they should choose to reenlist. But a 
soldier measures time by a different standard than 
the ordinary individual. For him the days no longer 
glide along with the swift and easy motion that brings 
them to a close ere they seem hardly to have been 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 333 

entered upon. The men, as they dropped down upon 
the banks of Bull Run, after having marched and 
fougnt for sixty hours out of sixty-nine, were ready 
to believe that months had passed since they broke 
camp beyond the Rappahannock. Looking back 
to the date of their enlistment, they felt sure that they 
had spent at least half of their lives in the military 
service. Events happening before the war appeared 
to have receded backward and to have become sepa- 
rated from them by a multitude of shifting experi- 
ences and a great gulf of time. 

Looking forward, they were confronted by the same 
phenomenon. The day of their discharge appeared 
so very far away that it seemed hardly possible that 
it should ever be reached. Past events and things 
hoped for were like objects seen through an inverted 
telescope, thrown by the atmosphere of their environ- 
ment so far backward or forward that they took on 
the appearance of half realities, or things likely to 
vanish before realized. It was not uncommon to 
hear men say that they would like to compromise 
with the future by the loss of an arm or leg, and such 
a settlement would not seem a bad one when the 
average fate meted out to their absent comrades 
was considered. But even when these reflective 
moods were upon them they were never despondent, 
and the prevailing sentiment of the camp was always 
cheerful. That constant exercise of the will which 
every good soldier must call to his aid in preparing 
for battle, to shut out fear and banish those rushing 
thoughts that come crowding upon the mind, makes 
him so strong and self-reliant that he can speculate 
upon the possibilities of the future with the equa- 
nimity of a philosopher, and await with cheerfulness 
whatever fate may have in store for him. George 



334 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Cary Eggleston says that no one in the Confederate 
Army in 1864 expected to survive the war, and that a 
gloomy fatalism took possession of the minds of 
many. General John B. Gordon tells us, in his in- 
teresting memoirs, that at this time the Army of 
Northern Virginia was deeply affected by a religious 
sentiment that swept over it, heightened, it may be, by 
the fact that in this world there seemed nothing but 
death and wounds before it, and the men thus turned 
their thoughts to things beyond the grave as their 
only hope. 

In the Union Army, on the other hand, the chances 
of life and death were often scanned and worked 
out upon a mathematical basis from experiences of 
the past, but every one looked forward, if not with 
certainty, at least, hopefully, that in the lottery of 
war the prize of life would be his. 

The duty of putting the army in the best possible 
condition for the coming campaign was an ever pre- 
sent responsibility recognized by every commander 
from General Meade himself to even the sergeants 
in command of companies. The methods so success- 
fully inaugurated and carried out by General Hooker 
for building up the army and giving the best spirit 
to it were followed, and additional ones adopted. 
Every day there were drills of some kind when the 
weather was favorable, and inspections and reviews 
were so common that visitors seldom went away 
without having seen some part of the army displayed 
before them in its best dress. The Twentieth, which 
from the beginning had had ojfficers of exceptional 
merit, had always maintained a high standard of 
discipline, and was behind none in perfection of drill 
and the rapidity and ease with which it could exe- 
cute the most complicated manoeuvres, whether on the 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 335 

field by itself or in conjunction with others as part 
of a brigade or division. Major Abbott had a genius 
for war, and was indefatigable in his exertions and 
insistence to have everything done better to-morrow 
than it had ever been done before. Not satisfied 
with the requirements of Casey's Tactics, then the 
standard in use, he brought out a new movement 
of his own for the rallying of a regiment on its colors. 
After reviews he was called upon to give special 
exhibitions of his regimental drill before General 
Gibbon, General Hancock, General Meade, and 
finally before General Grant himself. 

It had not escaped the notice of the oJBBcers, nor 
perhaps of the men either, that with the progress 
of the war a regiment was no longer the conspicu- 
ous figure it had been in the early days; and this 
not by reason of a diminution of numbers alone, but 
from general causes. The parts of the army had 
now become knitted and welded together, making 
it a more solid and compact machine which obscured 
every minor division in the immensity of the great 
whole. The field of operations had become so vast, 
the conflicts so numerous and of such magnitude, 
the numerals of regiments from every State had run 
up so high, the method of operations had so changed, 
— great masses acting together in every battle and 
not in successive small detachments,— that it could 
no longer be a matter of surprise that a little regi- 
ment of three or four hundred men should cease to 
be a potent factor in swaying events, or fail to at- 
tract the public notice which in its first life and greater 
strength it had been able to do. The details of battles 
had been so numerous, the stories of heroic actions 
on the part of individuals, companies, regiments, 
and brigades so many, that their power to interest 



336 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

was lost. The public mind had become fixed upon 
armies and was now chiefly interested in results 
alone. 

Though recognizing the changed position which 
events had made for it, the men of the regiment who 
constituted its strength, and who, with their com- 
rades dead and absent, had made its record of glory, 
were in no way affected by it, and lost nothing of 
their resolution to do their part, even if unseen 
and unnoticed, in bringing the war to a successful 
close. 

The Army of the Potomac, notwithstanding its 
heavy losses and many causes for discouragement, 
notwithstanding that it was being filled up with 
men of little or no value, was still in its best state, 
and would soon be ready to put forth the greatest 
effort it was ever called upon to make. 

The winter was slowly wearing away, and the 
monotony of its days was relieved by many incidents 
and events that brought cheer to the regiment and 
gladness to officers and men. The wounded of the 
previous summer were gradually coming back to 
fill its ranks, and they were always received with 
demonstrations that show how closely knit are the 
bonds that bind together those who have shared 
common hardships and common perils. There was 
often something touching in the warmth of welcome 
with which these comrades were greeted. The mess 
never failed to set out its best to celebrate their re- 
turn. 

Then there was going and coming of officers on 
leaves of absence and of men on furloughs, which 
were rather liberally granted, and which furnished 
other means than that of letters by which those who 
were not thus favored could learn of how things were 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 337 

going on at home in a time of war, and how men felt 
and acted who kept themselves clear of it. Every sec- 
tion of the State which furnished contingents to the 
regiment was visited by one or more on furlough or 
leave of absence, who, returning, brought the latest 
news from the vicinity in which not a few were in- 
terested, and related it to an audience which hung 
upon every word. The simple events of every-day 
life, once participated in and known by all, were 
listened to with rapt interest and almost incredulity, 
— how it seemed to live again in a warm house, to 
go to rest undressed, and sleep in a bed with white 
sheets and pillows of down or feathers, to rise in the 
morning at one's leisure, to sit at table covered with 
clean linen, and eat slices of tender roast beef with 
vegetables that were really fresh, followed by a 
dessert of mince and pumpkin pies of substantial 
thickness and unheard-of flavor, while a wife or 
mother presided at the head, and daughters or sisters 
sat on either side, with smiles as sweet as those of 
angels and cheeks that mocked the dawn. These 
simple recitals might at times excite regrets, but they 
were pleasant and on the whole beneficial, for they 
recalled experiences once enjoyed, which all again 
hoped to realize. Major Abbott went home on the 
first day of January, 1864, and when leaving and 
bidding farewell to his family, this man of iron broke 
down and wept like a child. 

There was but one military movement during the 
winter that affected the regiment. General Butler, 
in command of the Department of Virginia and North 
Carolina, with headquarters at Fortress Monroe, 
conceived a plan for the liberation of the prisoners 
at Richmond, and requested General Sedgwick, tem- 
porarily in command of the army, to make such a 



338 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

demonstration as would prevent General Lee from 
sending away any portion of his troops. The Second 
Corps was selected for this purpose, and on the morn- 
ing of the 6th of February the regiment marched 
down to the Rapidan. Hays's division crossed at 
Morton's Ford, captured the enemy's entire picket 
line at that point, and made several feints at attack- 
ing the fortifications on the hills beyond. Towards 
evening his troops were relieved by the Second Divi- 
sion. The Twentieth crossed the river, then nearly 
three feet deep, but was recalled during the night 
by command of General Meade, who thought that 
the demonstration already made was sufficient, and 
remained on the northern bank. At six o'clock on 
the following morning we commenced our return 
march, floundering along through the mud in the 
dark, over roads filled with holes, leaping ditches, and 
fording streams swollen by the recent rain, and reached 
camp at a little after mid-day on the eighth. 

General Grant, having been appointed a lieuten- 
ant-general, assumed command of all the military 
forces of the United States, and on the 26th of March 
established his headquarters at Culpeper Court 
House. Previous to this date the army had been 
reorganized into three corps, the First and Third 
being discontinued. As a result the Second Corps 
had four divisions commanded by Generals Barlow, 
Gibbon, Birney, and Mott. The brigade with which 
the Twentieth had been so long associated under- 
went no changes in its composition, but was there- 
after designated as the First Brigade, and received 
a new commander in the person of General Alexan- 
der S. Webb. 

General Grant was a stranger to this part of his 
new command, and each corps was in turn reviewed 



WINTER ON THE RAPIDAN 339 

by him, in order that he might see the material of 
which it was composed. These occasions gave the 
men their first sight of this remarkable man of whom 
they had heard so much. Coming among us with 
none of the outward adornments with which the 
conquering hero has generally been presented to 
the imagination, his unimpassioned face, neverthe- 
less, showed to those accustomed to judge of human 
character a force of will that no obstacle could over- 
come. Those who were privileged to talk with him 
listened to a clearness of thought, expressed in simple 
and most appropriate words, that gave them a sense 
of intellectual power which only the greatest com- 
manders possess. General Meade remained in direct 
command of the army, although subject to such 
general instructions as he might from time to time 
receive. 

By the 1st of April the peach trees were in full 
blossom, but over the vast plain, from which the last 
vestige of fencing had been removed and burned, 
there was no other sign of the coming spring. The 
ceaseless trampling of men and horses, and the con- 
stant passage of wagon-trains numbering nearly 
ten thousand, had pulverized the soil into dust, and 
rendered the landscape so desolate and barren that 
it hardly seemed possible that sun and rain would 
ever again be able to make a flower bloom or a plant 
grow. The population scattered along our line of 
advance from the Potomac to the Rapidan had called 
upon the government to keep them from starva- 
tion, and under proper regulations assistance had 
been rendered. 

Though expectation was ever present, that with 
warm weather and dry roads we might be called 
upon to march at any time, the plans of the com- 



340 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

mander-in-chief were not yet matured, and we were 
to remain for a month longer, devoting the last days 
to skirmish drill and target practice, each impres- 
sively suggestive of the work to come. 



CHAPTER XVI 

THE WILDERNESS 

On the night of the 3d of May the army broke camp 
and started out on a campaign that lasted three 
hundred and forty days, during which the contend- 
ing forces were at no time separated from each other 
by the distance of a rifle-shot, and which left a trail 
of blood from the Rapidan to Appomattox to mark 
its devious course. No day passed on which some 
life did not go out, and on many days thousands; 
and such sacrifices were called for, that of the hun- 
dred thousand men constituting the army on May 3, 
less than ten thousand were with it at the close. In 
the history of war it is impossible to find the parallel 
of this campaign. Its features are not attractive, 
for nowhere and at no time is hard and persistent 
fighting in thickets, swamps, woods, and small spaces 
of open land relieved by any of those fortunate acci- 
dents, picturesque scenes, and sudden turns of for- 
tune that often attend on war, and in the perusal 
of its history so strike the imagination as to with- 
draw the attention in a great part from those repul- 
sive features which are always met with, and are 
natural to it. 

No one will ever understand this campaign or 
be able to form a correct judgment of it who does 
not take into account the exigency resting on Gen- 
eral Grant to delay not for a day the completion of 
the task with which the government had entrusted 



342 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

him. The presidential election was to take place in 
November. No one familiar with the history of 
those times can for a moment doubt that the re- 
election of Lincoln was clearly dependent upon the 
war being brought to a close before that date, or 
at least reduced to such proportions that its speedy 
ending was visible to the majority of the people. 
This condition was met and Lincoln's election was 
secured. If,, on the other hand, this contingency 
had not been met, and the war with invisible limits 
had been still before them, the government would have 
passed into other hands, and the recognition of the 
Southern Confederacy would have been the natu- 
ral and logical result. This was the opinion of Lin- 
coln and Grant, and they acted on it. 

The orders for the first stage of the campaign 
were prepared by General Humphreys, chief-of- 
staff , after the fullest discussion with General Meade, 
and were delivered to the corps commanders on the 
morning of May 3. They required that the right 
column, consisting of the Fifth and Sixth Corps, 
should cross the river at Germanna Ford, preceded 
by Wilson's cavalry division, and take up a position 
at Wilderness Tavern; that the Second Corps should 
cross at Ely's Ford, preceded by Gregg's cavalry di- 
vision, and move to Chancellorsville; that the wagon- 
train, protected by cavalry and an infantry guard 
of thirty-six hundred men, should cross at Ely's and 
Culpeper Mine fords, and move in the direction of 
Todd's Tavern. To accomplish this, five pontoon 
bridges were to be laid, which were to be taken up 
after the troops had crossed and carried along be- 
hind the army. At midnight each corps was in mo- 
tion, the men carrying three days' cooked rations 
and fifty rounds of ammunition on the person. At 



THE WILDERNESS 343 

six o'clock in the morning the head of the Second 
Corps was crossing the Rapidan, and at about one 
in the afternoon it went into camp at its designated 
resting place after a march of twenty-two miles. 
We were now upon ground made familiar to us the 
year previous, and examined with mournful interest 
the scenes of one of our greatest and least creditable 
battles. 

The Fifth and Sixth Corps, following the route 
prescribed to them, arrived at their respective rest- 
ing places at about two o'clock on the afternoon of 
the fourth, the former being established at Wilderness 
Tavern and the latter about three miles to the rear, 
with one of its divisions at Germanna Ford as a 
guard to the bridges. Gregg, with his cavalry divi- 
sion, pushed on to Piney Grove Church during the 
afternoon, and Wilson was on the Orange Plank 
Road near Parker's Store. The trains of more than 
four thousand wagons commenced crossing the bridges 
at the two fords above mentioned, the last being over 
in the afternoon of the fifth. This complicated series 
of movements commenced at the very moment pre- 
scribed in the order, and were carried out in a way 
which leaves one in doubt which most to admire, 
the promptitude and skill of the corps commanders, 
or the genius of those who devised and reduced them 
to such plain and simple terms that misunderstand- 
ing was eradicated and interference of one with the 
other impossible. The science of war was never more 
clearly displayed nor its art better illustrated than 
in the first day's work of this campaign. 

On the 2d of May General Lee and his principal 
ofliccrs had visited Clarke's Mountain near the right 
of his line, which commanded a view of nearly the 
whole of Culpeper County. From What he saw from 



344 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

this elevated point, Lee concluded that Grant was 
about to put his army in motion, and that its direc- 
tion would be against his right. The crossing of the 
Rapidan was soon reported by his outposts, and 
his corps commanders, then in a state of expectancy, 
were ordered to put their columns in march. Ewell, 
with the Second Corps, was soon hurrying along the 
turnpike toward Wilderness Tavern; Hill's corps 
was stretched out for a longer march that would 
bring it out on the Plank Road three miles to the 
south of Ewell; and Longstreet was ordered from 
Gordonsville to fall in behind and follow Hill, which 
would concentrate the greater part of the Army of 
Northern Virginia on the right. 

On the evening of the fourth General Meade had his 
army stretching south from Germanna Ford to Shady 
Grove Church on an irregular line, facing to the west. 
Ten or twelve miles separated the extremes of the 
two wings, measuring in a straight line; and at least 
twenty miles by any known roads intervened, while 
there were wide intervals between the different corps. 

At the same time, Early's division of Ewell's corps 
had reached Robertson's Tavern on the pike, four 
miles from Wilderness Tavern, Rodes's and John- 
son's divisions being closed up in his rear. Hill, 
leaving Anderson's division on the Rapidan, had 
halted for the night on the Plank Road, Heth camp- 
ing at Mine Run, seven miles from Parker's Store, 
and Wilcox at Verdiersville. Hill was separated 
from Ewell by three miles. There was an interval 
of about three miles on the pike, and of about ten 
on the Plank Road, between the hostile forces; the 
pickets were not in touch with each other. 

Soon after the crossing of the Rapidan was effected, 
General Grant telegraphed to General Burnside, 




"WILDERNESS 

AVID 

SPOTSYLVANIA 



THE WILDERNESS . 345 

whose corps was then stretched along the raih'oad 
from Brandy Station to Bealton, to make a forced 
march to Germanna Ford, and with such alacrity 
did the men respond that he was at the Wilderness 
Tavern on the morning of the fifth with three divi- 
sions. 

On the evening of the fourth there was a general 
feeling of elation at the success thus far achieved 
without the slightest accident or loss of any kind. 
General Grant expressed the sense of relief he felt, 
having entertained serious apprehension of danger 
in crossing the river in face of a powerful and active 
army, and of diiBiculty in passing his trains safely 
through a hostile country furnishing only narrow 
and ill-constructed roads. 

Though the movements of the enemy already de- 
scribed had taken place, no information of them had 
been received at headquarters, except that troops 
had been observed on the Plank Road moving towards 
New Verdiersville, and a few shots had been heard 
from the direction of Robertson's Tavern. 

Orders were issued on May 4, dated at 6 p. m., 
for the army to move at five o'clock on the following 
morning. General Wilson's division was to move 
to Craig's Meeting House, the Second Corps to 
Shady Grove Church, both places on the Catharpin 
Road, the Fifth Corps to Parker's Store, and the 
Sixth Corps to the Wilderness Tavern. If this order 
could have been carried out, the left wing of the 
army would have been well out of the Wilderness, 
in fairly open ground, and beyond the right flank 
of the enemy, unless important changes were made 
in their movements then in progress. 

The Second Corps was promptly on the road at 
the appointed time, and was measuring off the miles 



346 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

at a swinging gait that would have soon brought it 
to Shady Grove Church, when, about nine o'clock, 
General Hancock received an order to halt at Todd's 
Tavern. He was even then two miles beyond that 
place. 

As General Griffin had been advanced on the 4th 
for a mile or more beyond the Wilderness Tavern 
on the turnpike, Warren started the movement, 
which was to carry his corps on to the Plank Road, 
at Parker's Store, with Crawford's division followed 
by those of Wadsworth and Robinson. The head 
of Crawford's column had reached the open ground 
of the Chewning farm, three miles from the tavern 
and within a mile of the store, when he found a small 
force of cavalry skirmishing with the advance of 
Hill's corps. 

As early as 7.30 the presence of Ewell's corps was 
felt on the pike about a mile in front of Griffin, who 
had not yet moved, and General Meade, concluding 
that the whole of Lee's army might possibly be in 
his immediate front, gave the order to Hancock, 
received at nine, to halt at Todd's Tavern and await 
developments. General Grant having joined Gen- 
eral Meade and having been informed of the develop- 
ments on the two roads, at once decided to abandon, 
for the present at least, the flank march to Parker's 
Store and to attack instead whatever force might 
be in front on the pike. The movement prescribed 
for the Sixth Corps not having been completed. 
General Sedgwick was ordered to send Wright's 
division, reinforced by Neill's brigade, up the road 
which enters the Germanna Plank at Spotswood 
and join in with the Fifth Corps. Between nine and 
ten o'clock, from information then gained, orders 
were sent to General Hancock to move up the Brock 



THE WILDERNESS 347 

Road to the Orange Court House Plank Road, and 
at the same time General Getty was sent in all haste 
to the junction of these roads to drive back the enemy 
beyond Parker's Store. 

General Griffin, having formed his division, with 
Ay res 's brigade of regulars on the right of the pike 
and the brigades of Bartlett and Barnes on the left, 
did not commence to advance until about noon. 
He soon struck Jones's brigade of Johnson's divi- 
sion, and Battle's and Dole's brigades of Rodes's 
division, and in the conflict that ensued threw the 
two former into confusion, in which Jones was killed. 
To support his front line, Ewell sent forward Early's 
division and Daniels's brigade of Rodes's division, 
which finally pressed Griffin back to his original 
position. Wadsworth was overpowered and forced 
to retire with considerable loss in prisoners, owing 
to his inability to get his division into proper align- 
ment with that of Griffin. Crawford and Robinson 
were then withdrawn, and the corps commenced 
the construction of intrenchments in front of Wilder- 
ness Tavern. 

Owing to the difficulties everywhere met on this 
field, Wright was not able to come up with the enemy 
until nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, when 
he was fiercely attacked by Walker's and Stafford's 
brigades, which were thrown off by Generals Russell 
and Neill, General Stafford being killed. This ended 
the contest upon the right, which had not been favor- 
able to the Federalists, though not the occasion for 
much elation on the part of the Confederates. 

The order given to General Getty did not come 
too soon. That energetic and capable officer rode at 
the head of his three brigades (General Neill's being 
at that time under General Wright's orders), and, 



348 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

on arriving at the junction of the roads, was met by 
a detachment of cavalry that came flying down the 
Plank Road informing him that Hill's corps was just 
behind them. Faster than the cavalry came the 
enemy's bullets crashing through the dense bush, 
cutting off twigs and pattering on the ground. Getty, 
with his staff, was there alone, for his eager mind 
had led him in advance of his command, and for some 
minutes this little group held the pivot-point of the 
battlefield. One orderly was severely wounded, one 
horse killed, two holes were made in the headquarters 
flag, and though the gray uniforms were seen cross- 
ing and advancing on the road, Getty would not 
move. Just in time to save the position, for in 
five minutes it would have been losi;, the leading 
regiment of Wheaton's brigade came running down 
the Brock Road and halted on reaching the junction 
to send volleys of musketry at the invisible enemy, 
then only thirty yards away. The whole division 
was up soon after and formed in two lines in front 
of the Brock Road, Wheaton's brigade holding the 
centre on either side of the Plank Road, Eustis on 
the right, and Grant's Vermont brigade on the left. 
Having learned from prisoners that Wilcox's and 
Heth's divisions of Hill's corps were in his front. 
General Getty, exercising the discretion which the 
situation demanded, delayed further compliance with 
his orders and commenced throwing up intrench- 
ments on the west side of the Brock Road. His situa- 
tion and the information he had acquired was fully 
explained in a message promptly sent to General 
Meade. The loss of this position would have cut 
the army in two parts and greatly endangered its 
safety. How nearly it was lost has been already ex- 
plained, and it is easy to conjecture what would 



THE WILDERNESS 349 

have been the consequences if its occupation had 
been entrusted to a less energetic and capable officer. 

For two hours or more but little was done except 
to improve the alignment of the division and put 
it in the best condition for offensive or defensive 
work. Wheaton's brigade was moved to the right 
of the road, and two guns of Ricketts's battery were 
placed at the cross-roads. There was no other spot 
at which artillery could be used. 

The order for the Second Corps to return by the 
Brock Road to the support of Getty was received by 
General Hancock at about eleven o'clock, and he 
at once counter-marched his column to Todd's 
Tavern, and thence turned north to gain the cross- 
roads. Birney's division, being in the rear, took the 
lead in the retrograde movement, and came into 
position on the left of Getty at about two o'clock, 
forming in two lines. Mott's division was the next 
to arrive, followed by Gibbon, each forming in 
double line upon the left of the forces already in 
position, which gave two lines of battle in front of 
the Brock Road, consisting of more than twenty 
thousand men. It was well on toward evening before 
Hancock, with only a narrow road to move on, was 
able to bring up his whole corps and complete its 
formation. One of Barlow's brigades was left at 
the junction of the Brock Road with one leading from 
it into the Catharpin Road, and the other three 
were ordered to occupy some high and open ground 
in rear of the general line — a position of great value 
in case the enemy should attempt to move around 
the left flank of Gibbon's division, which was left 
in the air. 

At 4.15 General Getty, instigated by the very 
urgent orders he had received to press forward, felt 



350 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

compelled to put his division in motion, well know- 
ing that he could depend upon Hancock to extend 
a helping hand in the hour of need. Within four 
hundred yards from the Brock Road he encountered 
Hill's corps drawn up to receive him, and at once 
commenced a contest which before the close of an- 
other day was to cover a square mile of ground in 
front of the Brock Road with stricken bodies like 
the fallen leaves of autumn. 

General Hancock, who was receiving the most 
urgent messages for assistance, — messages which 
he could read so well, not by hurrying aides, but 
borne to him through the air, in the crash of ten thou- 
sand muskets, repeated and repeated in such quick 
succession that the intervals were soon lost in one 
universal roar, — did not wait to complete that 
perfection of form which the soldier loves when he 
knows that a great exertion must be made, but hur- 
ried Birney and Mott to the front, and later, with 
the varying exigencies of time and place, ordered 
forward Owen's and Carroll's brigades from our 
division, and finally Smythe's and Brooke's brigades 
from Barlow's division. With the exception of three 
brigades, the whole of the Second Corps was at last 
by the side of Getty, waging one of the fiercest con- 
tests ever known, on either side of the Plank Road, 
which darkness alone brought to a close. Though 
Hill's right was thrown back, and the whole line 
more or less broken, no great success had been gained. 
The losses on both sides in this part of the field had 
been large, and the troops rested on the line. they 
held when the battle ended. It was known that Gen- 
eral Longstreet had not yet arrived and that Ander- 
son was still absent. 

General Meade determined to make a supreme 



THE WILDERNESS 351 

effort to break through the Confederate right on the 
morning of the sixth, before Hill could reorganize his 
shattered line and before reenforcements could reach 
the field. For this purpose Hancock was given, in 
addition to his own corps, command of Getty's and 
Wadsworth's divisions of the Fifth Corps, to which 
were added Baxter's brigade from Robinson's divi- 
sion. Wadsworth had, during the afternoon of the 
fifth, worked his way through the woods near to the 
Plank Road in an effort to strike the left flank of 
Hill, and was already in a good position for the com- 
ing battle. Warren and Sedgwick were expected 
to keep Ewell engaged to prevent him from sending 
forces to the right. General Grant directed that the 
attack should commence at half past four, but at 
the request of Meade it was postponed until five to 
allow time for making a proper disposition of the 
troops. 

At that hour the divisions of Birney, Mott, and 
Getty, and the brigades of Owen and Carroll threw 
themselves straight against the front of Hill's corps. 
The space between the two forces was short; and 
though the Confederates were under the shelter of 
breastworks which had been thrown up during the 
night, they were soon gained, and after a furious 
conflict, lasting nearly an hour, the right wing of 
Lee's army was broken and Hill's corps was badly 
disorganized and fleeing before the exultant divi- 
sions led by Hancock. Many prisoners were taken 
and sent to the rear, but the exact number has never 
been given. The pursuit was continued for more 
than a mile, but the alignment having become broken 
these troops were ill prepared to meet the fresh men 
of Longstreet and Anderson that were now upon the 
field and being placed in position to renew the battle. 



352 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

The victors of the morning were stopped in their 
pursuit and soon forced back step by step, until an 
intermediate position was gained where the scat- 
tered forces were rallied for a final stand. 

General Gibbon had been placed in command of 
the left with Barlow's division and a part of his own. 

It was not until after the overthrow of Hill's corps, 
and the pressing back of our forces by Longstreet, 
that Webb's brigade, to which the Twentieth be- 
longed, was called upon to take part in the action. 
Up to this time the regiment had been in the position 
assigned it the day previous, along the Brock Road. 
Colonel Macy had returned the evening before and 
assumed command, while Lieutenants Magnitzky 
and Pease had arrived early in the morning, having 
walked alone all the way from Brandy Station. The 
regiment had about five hundred and fifty men and 
twenty-five officers. The brigade marched by the flank 
to the cross-roads and then up the Plank Road for 
about a mile, having been ordered to support Getty's 
division. Colonel Theodore Lyman of Boston, a 
volunteer aide on the staff of General Meade, had 
been sent to remain with General Hancock during 
the battle, and while going upon this mission made 
note in his diary that he passed the Twentieth on the 
march and received a salute from Major Abbott, 
who was riding at its head. A few hours later he 
went to the corps hospital, and was with him when he 
died. The brigade was placed in line on the right of 
the road, and by some mischance did not meet or 
see during the entire day the division it was directed 
to support. It fell in with Wadsworth's division, 
which had got on to the Plank Road, and General 
Wads worth assumed command over it. 

General Wadsworth detached the regiment from 



MAJOR HENRY L. ABBOTT 



THE WILDERNESS 353 

the brigade and ordered it to the left of the road, 
where with great difficulty a line was formed in the 
dense thicket. There is considerable mystery and 
uncertainty about the operations of the regiment, and 
no full nor satisfactory account of them can now be 
given. Owing to the wounding of one and the death 
of another of the commanding officers, no report 
of the part taken by it in this battle was ever 
made. The report of General Webb furnishes the 
only contemporary evidence, and, though written 
by a very gifted and accomplished officer, is far from 
being full or satisfactory. General Webb expected 
to find General Getty's division up the road, having 
been ordered to support or relieve it, and was much 
surprised to find no trace of it; and where it then 
was it is now impossible to learn from any of the 
reports. Apparently the Twentieth was formed at 
the time when thei:e was a lull in the battle, which, 
in fact, occurred after the most advanced parts of 
our line had been driven back by Longstreet's first 
attack. It was after this that a partially successful 
attempt was made to bring the disjointed commands 
together and put them in position nearer the Brock 
Road, to meet the renewed assaults that were sure to 
come. 

Soon after the regiment was moved to the south 
of the road, General Wadsworth rode to the front 
of it and gave the order to advance. The words had 
barely escaped his lips when he fell from his horse 
into the arms of Lieutenant Magnitzky, who laid 
him upon the ground. A bullet had passed through 
his head, and he died almost instantly. Soon after 
Colonel Macy was wounded, and Major Abbott 
assumed command. The regiment then commenced 
to advance, but had not proceeded far when it was 



354 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

met by a volley of musketry from the enemy only a 
few yards away, though invisible. In accordance with 
orders the men dropped to the ground and opened 
fire, Major Abbott remaining standing all the while, 
directing and encouraging his men until he received 
the wound that soon ended his life. Just how long 
this conflict lasted is uncertain, but from the memory 
of survivors it would appear to have been between 
one and two hours. 

Meanwhile General Longs treet had sent a column 
of four brigades to the unfinished railroad embank- 
ment on his right, which struck the left of our new 
line and doubled up Frank's brigade, then a part 
of Mott's division, and produced such a critical 
condition in this part of the field that Hancock re- 
luctantly gave the order for our forces to withdraw 
to the Brock Road, where, during the afternoon 
and night of the fifth, breastworks of logs had been 
erected. The Twentieth retired under orders, and 
its exact position during the remainder of the battle 
is still to be determined. 

It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when 
the Second Corps and the troops acting with it 
returned to the Brock Road, and soon after General 
Lee, Longstreet having been wounded, advanced his 
lines to within a hundred yards of our position. 

General Burnside had been ordered to go in be- 
tween Hancock and Warren with two of his divi- 
sions early in the morning, for the purpose of break- 
ing through the enemy's centre; but owing to the 
difficulties encountered, but little progress was made, 
and it was not until late in the afternoon that he 
finally got in contact with a part of Hill's forces, 
which had in the meantime been reenforced and 
brought back, and thus he failed to render any as- 



THE WILDERNESS 355 

sistance to Hancock during the latter's long struggle 
of the forenoon. Stevenson's division of the Ninth 
Corps was sent to Hancock about eight in the morn- 
ing, and participated on the right of the Plank Road 
in connection with General Wads worth. 

About two o'clock in the afternoon the left wing 
was further strengthened by Lyle's brigade of the 
Fifth Corps and two regiments of heavy artillery. 
At about three o'clock General Hancock was di- 
rected to make another attack with his whole force, 
which now consisted of half of the army ; but before 
that hour arrived, a general assault was made on 
his front by the combined forces of Longstreet and 
Hill under the direct command of General Lee, who 
had assumed personal direction of affairs on the 
right after Longstreet was wounded. A part of the 
first row of breastworks was gained, but elsewhere 
the attack was repulsed. Carroll's brigade soon re- 
covered the lost line, and no further effort was made 
to regain it. By five o'clock the enemy was com- 
pletely repulsed and retired to the rear, where they 
were contented to remain undisturbed. 

Just before sunset, General Early sent Gordon, 
supported by Johnson's brigade, around the right 
flank of the Sixth Corps, who met with success in 
attacking the brigades of Shaler and Seymour, cap- 
turing both these generals and several hundred 
prisoners. This action closed one of the bloodiest 
days in the annals of the Army of the Potomac, ending 
in great disappointment that the fruits of the morn- 
ing successes were not fully gathered. 

The Wilderness was clearly a drawn battle, the 
mortality lists of either side being tremendous. The 
Union Army lost 25,387 in killed, wounded, and 
missing. The loss of the Confederates can only 



356 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

be estimated, as after the battle of Gettysburg their 
archives fail to show their casualties in any succeed- 
ing battle. Whether this omission of important in- 
formation was intentional or accidental is a matter 
for conjecture. 

For the Twentieth, there was no one left to speak 
for it. That its old reputation was maintained on 
the 6th of May seems certain from what General 
Webb wrote concerning it. In his oflficial report 
made a few days later, he says, "I had occasion to 
call the attention of officers and men to the manner in 
which the Twentieth Massachusetts fought this day, 
and to point out particularly how much its fighting 
was due to the gallantry and discipline of its officers." 

The death of Major Abbott came home to all in a 
way which it is difficult to express in words. He was 
one of the few original officers who remained, and 
had been remarked in every battle for qualities of 
the highest order. For nearly a year he had been in 
command of the regiment, and had impressed him- 
self upon it more than any other commander had 
succeeded in doing. He had won the affection and 
was the pride of the men. It is doubtful if there 
was one of his rank so widely and favorably known 
in the army. General Meade had become well ac- 
quainted with his merits, and intended soon to offer 
him a position of importance on his staff and a higher 
rank. The news of his death reached headquarters 
while the battle was in progress, and General Meade 
spoke feelingly of it to General Grant while the two 
were sitting on a log together. General Webb says in 
his official report: "Major Henry L. Abbott, Twen- 
tieth Massachusetts Volunteers, died from his wounds 
received in the advance of his regiment. It will be 
very difficult to replace him. No better soldier was 



THE WILDERNESS 357 

in my command. His reputation as an officer stood 
far beyond the usual eulogies pronounced on dead 
officers. I feel that his merit was so peculiar and 
his worth so well known to all the officers of the corps 
and to the general commanding, that it is not neces- 
sary for me to attempt to do him justice. My brigade 
lost in him its best soldier." General Hancock wrote 
in the same strain. Richard H. Dana, the well-known 
author of "Two Years before the Mast," visited the 
army during the early days of 1864, and made this 
entry in his diary under date of April 26: "Sedg- 
wick spoke in very high terms of the Massachusetts 
regiments, especially of the Twentieth, and of Major 
Abbott, who now commands it. He thinks Abbott 
' the bright particular star,' though he did not ex- 
press it in these words." 

The death of Lieutenant Henry Ropes at Gettys- 
burg has already been mentioned. In his report of 
the battle Major Abbott paid this tribute to him: 
"His conduct in this action, as in all previous ones, 
was perfectly brave, but not with the bravery of 
excitement that nerves common men. He was in 
battle absolutely cool and collected, apparently un- 
conscious of the existence of such a feeling as per- 
sonal danger, the slight impetuosity and excitability 
natural to him at ordinary times being sobered down 
into the utmost self-possession, giving him an eye 
that noticed every circumstance, no matter how thick 
the shot and shell, a judgment that suggested in 
every case the proper measures, and a decision that 
made the application instantaneous. It is impossible 
for me to conceive of a man more perfectly master 
of himself; more completely noting and remember- 
ing every circumstance in times when the ordinary 
brave man sees nothing but a tumult, and remem- 



358 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

bers, after it is all over, nothing but a whirl of events 
which he is unable to separate." 

In writing the above, Major Abbott was uncon- 
sciously making a sketch of his own military charac- 
ter. The extract was not inserted in its appropriate 
place, with the account of the death of Lieutenant 
Ropes, but is produced here, in order to link together 
the names of two friends in a common tribute, written 
by one of the other, and appropriate to both, now 
united by a common fate. 

Besides the officers already mentioned. Captains 
A. B. Holmes, Henry L. Patten, and William F. Per- 
kins, Lieutenants Henry W. Mali and Benjamin B. 
Pease, and Adjutant Henry W. Bond were wounded. 
The casualties were never separately reported for this 
battle, but are included in a list made several days 
later, covering other actions. 

During the campaign and until the end of his term 
of service Captain O. W. Holmes, Jr., served as aide 
on the staff of Major-General Horatio G. Wright, 
who, after the death of General Sedgwick, became 
the permanent commander of the famous Sixth Corps. 
Captain Holmes subsequently received commissions 
as Major and Lieutenant-Colonel in the regiment, 
but owing to the small number of men was not able 
to be mustered. 



CHAPTER XVII 

SPOTTSYLVANIA 

On the morning of the 7th of May General Birney 
advanced his skirmishers along the Plank Road 
for the purpose of ascertaining the position of the 
enemy. He was found to have withdrawn a consider- 
able distance from our front and was protected by 
new fortifications which had been constructed during 
the night, and he gave no signs of willingness to 
leave them. From this time, until the close of the 
war, General Lee was never again to offer or ac- 
cept a general battle unless his troops were well 
covered by earthworks. His inability to shake off 
his enemy, as he had done at Chancellorsville, had 
wrought the conviction in his mind that he must 
henceforth adopt a defensive policy as his only hope 
for safety, although such a policy was entirely foreign 
to his nature. With the skill which his men had ac- 
quired in quickly throwing up intrenchments when- 
ever he was compelled to take up a new position, 
the character of the war was greatly changed. Hence- 
forth it was very much like siege work, and battles 
were no longer to be fought in open country. Wherever 
it turned and wherever it went, the Army of the Poto- 
mac was sure to be confronted with Malakoffs, Great 
Redans, and Little Redans, constructed in a single 
night and connected by earth embankments for pro- 
tection and cover. The red earth of Virginia, up- 
turned for the purposes of war, was always before 



360 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the eye, stretching in endless lines through the woods, 
over the hills, and across the plains, ever presenting 
a formidable barrier between us and the enemy. Its 
color became a symbol of the costly tribute so freely 
paid in crossing or attempting to cross them. 

As a result of the reconnoissances made by Gen- 
eral Birney, General Grant decided to move the army 
past Lee's right flank and seize Spottsylvania Court 
House, which if gained and held would compel him 
either to attack or to move his army further to the 
west in order again to interpose it between the Army 
of the Potomac and Richmond. This movement of 
Grant's required the abandonment of all communi- 
cation with Washington by the Alexandria Railroad, 
which had thus far been kept open. The bridges 
over the Rapidan were taken up, and by three 
o'clock in the afternoon of the seventh, the immense 
trains and reserve artillery were started over the 
roads to the new base of operations at Fredericks- 
burg. It is said that war is but a chapter of acci- 
dents, and this well-conceived plan was thwarted by 
an accident. 

General Lee, anticipating that a movement would 
be made to Fredericksburg, directed Anderson, who 
had succeeded Longstreet, wounded on the sixth, to 
move his corps early on the morning of the eighth to 
the Court House. Fearing danger from the fires 
raging in his front, Anderson made a night march 
and arrived at the place at the time he had been di- 
rected to start. The first knowledge gained by the 
Federals of the withdrawal of Anderson from the 
Wilderness was during the approach of our men 
toward the Court House. 

A little after dark. General Warren started along 
the Brock Road, while Sedgwick and Burnside fol- 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 361 

lowed on roads to the east. Hancock remained in 
the trenches until the Fifth Corps had passed by him, 
and then followed along the same road to Todd's 
Tavern, about halfway to Spottsylvania, where he 
. was to remain, forming the right wing of the army. 

General Warren found the road guarded by Fitz 
Hugh Lee's cavalry, and his progress during the night 
was slow. At six o'clock on the morning of the 
eighth he had only reached Todd's Tavern; and when 
he met the enemy's skirmishers two miles further 
along, he threw Robinson's division into line and 
pressed forward as rapidly as possible. Driving the 
enemy before him, he reached the open ground near 
Alsop's at about half past eight and found the enemy 
already intrenched. In the assault that was soon 
made Robinson was severely wounded and his bri- 
gades repulsed. When the Sixth Corps arrived, the 
two corps moved forward and secured a position 
sufficiently near the enemy, which they intrenched 
during the night, forming the line held by Warren 
and Sedgwick until the 13th and 14th of May. 

Owing to the resistance met by General Warren, 
the Second Corps did not move from the intrench- 
ments till after daylight, and did not arrive at Todd's 
Tavern until some hours later than was contem- 
plated in the general order. This point, about seven 
miles from Spottsylvania, it was important to hold 
as protection to the trains which were moving south 
on other roads to the east. Until later no information 
was received of what Lee was doing or contemplated 
doing since our withdrawal from his front. On ar- 
riving at Todd's Tavern Colonel Miles's brigade and 
a brigade of Gregg's cavalry were sent out on the 
Catharpin Road nearly as far as Corbin's Bridge 
over the Po, where they remained during the day. 



362 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Towards evening a part of Hill's corps under Early 
came into conflict with Miles, and so sharp was 
the collision that Smythe's brigade was hurried 
out to his support. There were reports that the 
enemy were moving in our rear along the Brock 
Road, which, with the knowledge of the presence 
of a large force in our front along the Catharpin 
Road, caused much anxiety to Hancock lest he might 
be attacked in the morning in his isolated position, 
both in front and rear, by the bulk of the Confederate 
Army. General Gibbon, who had been sent early 
in the day to the right of Warren, was drawn in, 
and General Meade sent a brigade of heavy artillery 
to reenforce the corps. The men stood to arms dur- 
ing the afternoon and well into the evening, but no 
further trouble came, for General Lee was not seek- 
ing battle, but was sending his forces to hold Spottsyl- 
vania as fast as they could travel. 

By noon of the ninth, leaving Mott's division and 
the brigade of heavy artillery on the Catharpin 
Road, Hancock was on the march with three divi- 
sions, under orders to take position to the right of 
Warren on the high open ground overlooking the 
river Po. At this time Lee's army was stretched 
in a semicircle around the Court House, the left 
resting on the Po and the right bent back to the south- 
west and reaching nearly to the river. It was pro- 
tected by formidable intrenchments that were soon 
after extended and made continuous between two 
different points on the Po. 

Early on the morning of this day General Burnside, 
who had taken a longer route than that followed by 
the other corps, came up on the Fredericksburg 
Road to within a mile and a half of the Court House, 
and crossed the Ny River at the Gates house. The 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 363 

army was now concentrated, but, with the exception 
of adjusting the lines and developing those of the 
enemy by vigorously pushing out skirmishers to 
the front, no active operations were undertaken. 
The men were all tired and needed rest. 

Before the corps had left Todd's Tavern the news 
of General Sedgwick's death while examining the 
enemy's position near the right of his corps, reached 
us. It was greatly regretted by the Twentieth, as 
the regiment had served under him as long as he 
had remained a division commander. The men held 
him in great respect and bore him a kindly affection 
which was expressed by their appellation of "Uncle 
John," which they generally used when referring 
to him. 

Soon after his arrival. General Hancock reported 
in person at headquarters and was ordered to cross 
the river and attempt the capture of a large wagon- 
train that had been seen moving along a road on the 
other side of the stream. Considerable delay in get- 
ting Birney's division across was caused by the con- 
formation of the banks of the river, which were high 
and heavily timbered, and by the time the work was 
accomplished the train was beyond his reach. But 
the movement thus begun was ordered to be contin- 
ued, it being thought feasible to turn the left flank 
of the Confederate forces. Three bridges were laid, 
over which the divisions of Gibbon and Barlow 
crossed; by this time Birney's skirmishers had nearly 
reached the Block House Bridge, over which ran a 
road leading to the rear of Lee's army, but they had 
not got near enough to command it. During the 
night, however, Mahone's division was extended to 
the left and constructed works which commanded 
this important point. 



364 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Barlow's division, moving along the Shady Grove 
Road at daylight, found the position there too strong 
to carry by assault, and Brooke's brigade was sent 
along the river to the right, where it crossed at a point 
about halfway between the bridge and Glady's Run. 
Hancock was preparing to send over other forces 
when he received orders to return at once with 
Gibbon's and Birney's divisions and take command, 
as senior oflScer, of Warren's corps, which, with 
his own troops, was to assault the Confederate lines 
at the point near what became known as the west 
angle of the apex of the Salient. The Twentieth 
moved with its division on the ninth across the river 
and became slightly engaged on the tenth. 

The Confederates, discovering that Barlow's divi- 
sion was isolated by the withdrawal of the rest of 
the corps, sent Heth's division in great haste to at- 
tack it. So serious did its position finally appear to 
General Meade, that he requested Hancock to relin- 
quish the enterprise given him and take charge of 
Barlow's division, and retire it. This was success- 
fully accomplished after repelling repeated attacks 
made by the enemy with great vigor in expectation 
of its capture. The horses of Arnold's battery be- 
came unmanageable during the retreat, and the guns 
of one section became wedged in between two trees 
so tightly that they could not be moved, and in this 
way the Second Corps lost its first gun. 

Thus General Warren came to take general charge 
of the operations against the Salient. By pushing 
forward two brigades of Gibbon's division in the 
forenoon, which were compelled to retire, and later 
two divisions of his own corps, which in turn also 
gave way, the view obtained of the enemy's position 
was such that, in his judgment, an assault would 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 365 

be successful. Upon this report, and influenced also 
by the fact that a part of the Confederate forces 
had been withdrawn some distance away to meet 
Hancock's turning movement, General Meade ordered 
Warren to assault. The attacking column was made 
up of Crawford's and Cutler's divisions of the Fifth 
Corps and Webb's and Carroll's brigades of Gib- 
bon's division. Some of the men got within the 
intrenchments, but were quickly driven out with con- 
siderable loss, and the divisions retired to their own 
lines in much confusion. 

General Hancock returned about half after five 
in the afternoon, just before the close of this as- 
sault. At seven he was ordered to renew it with 
Birney's and Gibbon's divisions and a part of the 
Fifth Corps, but he met with the same success that 
had been Warren's in the first attempt. The Twen- 
tieth, under command of Captain Curtis, partici- 
pated with Webb's brigade in these assaults, in 
one of which Lieutenant Hibbard was killed. Six 
of our men lost their lives, and twenty-two were 
wounded. 

General Wright, who succeeded to the command 
of the Sixth Corps on the death of General Sedg- 
wick, met with better success in the operations on 
his front, though all that can be said of them is 
that a promising opening ended in another failure. 
A careful examination of the ground in front had 
been made by Colonel Upton, who had been de- 
signated as leader of the troops who were to assault 
the works covered by Rodes's division of Long- 
street's corps. Two brigades, Upton's own and 
that formerly commanded by General Russell, who 
was now the head of the division, and four regi- 
ments of Neill's brigade were to form the assault- 



366 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

ing column. Better troops nor better leaders could 
not be furnished by the army. They were the same 
troops that had so brilliantly stormed the forts at 
Rappahannock Station the year before. The an- 
nals of the Sixth Corps are not illuminated by brighter 
deeds than those associated with the names of Rus- 
sell and Upton. 

Mott's division of the Second Corps, then further 
to the left, near the Brown house, was placed under 
Wright's orders and directed to attack at the same 
time on the line nearly opposite his front. Nothing 
was accomplished by this force, and it is generally 
recognized that, though led by officers of courage 
and ability, its efforts were rather languid and spirit- 
less. It was an off-day for this part of the corps. It 
is to be said in favor of the troops, however, that 
they were deployed in open ground and in full sight 
of the enemy, who were well prepared to meet their 
advance, which for a good part of the way was 
through open fields without cover of any sort. 

The attacking column was formed in four lines 
near the Shelton house and moved through the 
woods near to its further edge, two hundred yards 
from the enemy. The batteries were placed in such 
positions that the guns had a direct fire upon that 
part of the line toward which the column was di- 
rected, and an enfilading fire on the left. A heavy 
cannonade was kept up for half an hour and then 
ceased abruptly, which was the signal for the advance. 
The men sprang forward on the instant, and with a 
shout rushed on, unmindful of the shot and shell 
that was raining thick and fast upon them, climbed 
over the parapet, and, after a fierce hand to hand 
conflict, gained control of half a mile of the enemy's 
intrench ments. About twelve hundred prisoners 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 367 

were taken and sent to the rear, while the column 
pushed resolutely forward, capturing a second line 
about a hundred yards to the rear with all the artil- 
lery in it, and then spread out to the right and left, 
clearing a front sufficiently wide for the passing 
through of a division. The expected reenforcements 
did not arrive, and Upton was compelled to con- 
tinue the struggle single-handed against the troops 
which were poured in upon him from the front and 
on either side. The intrenchments were held until 
dark, when General Russell ordered the troops to 
withdraw during the night. Besides prisoners, the 
enemy lost heavily in killed and wounded at the 
first taking of the works, and more heavily in their 
attempts to recover them. The President, having 
given General Grant authority to reward conspicu- 
ous action upon the field, Colonel Upton was im- 
mediately appointed a brigadier-general. 

The casualties of the day amounted to 4100 in 
killed and wounded, the number of prisoners being 
small. The Second Corps fought in detachments 
at three different points along the line, its losses 
being one half of the total. General Burnside with 
the Ninth Corps, two or more miles to the left, made 
a demonstration along his front, during which 
Brigadier- General Thomas J. Stevenson of Massa- 
chusetts, commanding a division, was killed. He 
was one of the most accomplished and gallant offi- 
cers in the army, and his death was much deplored. 
He was well known in the Twentieth, and his loss 
came home to many as a personal bereavement. 
Many of our officers had been trained by him just 
before the outbreak of the war, to fit themselves for 
the positions they were to occupy, and it was not 
uncommon to hear them say that to General Steven- 



368 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

son they owed much for whatever success they had 
attained in their warlike calling. 

General Grant, being of the opinion that the 
failure to gain the enemy's intrenchments and 
drive Lee from Spottsylvania was due to a lack of 
spirit on the part of the forces that were cooperat- 
ing with Upton, determined that the contest should 
be renewed on the 12th. Accordingly on the after- 
noon of the 11th he sent a dispatch to General 
Meade directing him to move the three divisions 
of the Second Corps by the rear of the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps, under cover of night, to join the Ninth 
Corps in a vigorous assault on the enemy at four 
o'clock on the following morning. These few words 
of command resulted in one of the bloodiest bat- 
tles in history, unique in character, sublime in the 
heroism displayed by the combatants of either side, 
which covered a small space of earth thicker with 
dead and wounded men than was ever seen on any 
battlefield in modern times. 

The details of this assault were left, as always, 
with General Meade, who, having called the corps 
commanders together and consulted with them, 
gave the final directions for carrying it out. 

From the left of Hill's works to the right of Long- 
street's a ridge of no great height jutted out to the 
north, along the outer edge of which E well's corps 
was stationed, his men facing north, east, and west. 
It made of his position what is known in military 
phrase as a salient, or a projection toward the enemy 
of a part of the line of an army. The point of land 
thus inclosed has often been likened to the shape 
of an acorn, the correctness of which comparison 
may be seen at a glance. The outer end was the 
apex, and the side lines connecting with it formed 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 369 

the east and west angles. Johnson's division held 
the whole of the apex and extended for a quarter 
of a mile along the east side line. This was the 
centre of the Confederate Army and the point at 
which the attack was to be made. 

The men were permitted to rest during the 11th. 
General Hancock made such examination of the 
ground as was possible during the short time be- 
tween the receipt of his orders and darkness, but 
the information gained was very meagre. A storm 
of rain set in during the day, accompanied by fog, 
and thus added more difficulties to those already 
existing. It was decided that the column should 
be formed in front of the Brown house, from which 
there was a stretch of open ground about four hun- 
dred yards in width and bordered on either side 
by woods, which ended directly at the Salient. Early 
in the evening General Hancock summoned the 
three division commanders to his headquarters and 
informed them that this was a movement of more 
than ordinary importance, and endeavored to im- 
press them with the feeling that the occasion re- 
quired the putting forth of a supreme effort on the 
part of the whole command. Barlow, in the lead, 
was to report at headquarters with his division at 
ten o'clock, followed closely by Birney and Gibbon, 
and from there they would be conducted by staff 
officers and engineer officers to their respective 
positions. Mott's division was already near the 
Brown house. Barlow reported promptly at the 
appointed hour; and the corps took up its march 
under the guidance of Colonel Charles H. Morgan, 
inspector-general of the Second Corps, and Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel G. H. Mendell of the United States 
Engineers. 



370 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

The rain was still pouring down in torrents, and 
the air was thick with mist and fog from the soak- 
ing earth. A more dismal night march of two hours 
was never known. Whether through woods or open 
country, it was all the same. Objects great or small 
were alike invisible, and everywhere was deep and 
slippery mud through which the column floundered 
on, file closers hardly able to see their file leaders. 
All was dreariness and discomfort. No officer was 
familiar with the location towards which they were 
moving, nor had ever seen, much less examined, 
the position they were seeking to storm. The men 
were in dense ignorance as to their destination, 
and, as they pulled their feet from out the thick 
and sticky mud for mile after mile, indulged them- 
selves to the limit in the soldier's privilege to grum- 
ble, vowing their preference to storming a Malakoff 
by daylight to wearing out their lives in such march- 
ing. General Barlow has described his own sensa- 
tions as sometimes being stirred with indignation 
and then moved to mirth and laughter as he recalled 
in turn the seriousness and, what he terms the ludi- 
crousness of his situation. The man who could laugh 
at such a time must needs have been a brave one. 

By twelve o'clock the head of the column was at 
the Brown house. The difficulty of forming a column 
on such a night can only be imagined. A mass of 
darkness, mud, and rain, so Barlow thought, was 
pointed out to him as the position from which he 
was to make his attack. Hours were occupied in 
completing the formation. Barlow's division was 
formed in column of regiments, each doubled on 
the centre. The first and fourth brigades were placed 
in the first line, and the second and third in the 
second. A small space was left between the first 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 371 

and second lines and also between the brigade col- 
umns. The Second Delaware was placed on the 
left, with directions to march by the right flank so as 
to face quickly to the front in case of necessity and 
stand off from that side any force that might come 
to attack the column. General Birney disposed 
his division in two deployed lines on the right of 
Barlow, and Mott's division was in single line in 
the rear of Birney. Gibbon was held in reserve. 
Burnside was ordered to attack at the same hour as 
Hancock, but far to the left, while Warren and Wright 
were directed to make demonstrations along their 
fronts and turn them into real attacks, if favorable 
opportunities offered. It was a movement that might 
call every brigade into action and was to be the su- 
preme effort of the army. 

Every preparation had been made a short time 
before the hour designated for the assault, but 
owing to the fog the attack was postponed to await 
the appearance of the coming light. This attack 
was not to be heralded by a cannonade, but was to 
be performed by the infantry alone, in hope of taking 
the enemy unawares and unprepared. No unneces- 
sary speeches were addressed to the men in order 
to stir them to a warlike feeling; save for the orders, 
which were given in a low tone, no noise was made. 
Twenty thousand men were standing still in a com- 
pact formation, silently awaiting the word to advance. 
Surrounded by the silence of night, by darkness and 
by fog, they stood, listening to the raindrops as they 
fell from leaf to leaf. 

All this while the enemy were unconscious of what 
was in store for them, although they had received 
rumors of movements ; but the reports were so uncer- 
tain that no action had been taken to meet the at- 



372 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

tack really threatened. The withdrawal of General 
Burnside from the south side of the Ny on the 11th 
had induced General Lee to believe that another 
attack would be made against his left flank, and he 
ordered the artillery at the Salient to be withdrawn 
during the night, and as a result this arm of the 
service played but a small part in the great action 
of the 12th. Some one heard, or thought he heard, 
sounds indicating that troops were being concen- 
trated on Johnson's front; and by reason of this 
General Lee ordered the guns to be returned at 
daylight, and they arrived just in time to be cap- 
tured without rendering any efficient service. 

For a long time this great column stood waiting 
for the word to advance. It was the largest body of 
men ever organized on the continent to be launched 
for a single blow. In it were twenty thousand men, — 
partly in solid mass, and partly in line, — five thou- 
sand more than Pickett led up Cemetery Hill at Gettys- 
burg. Seventy-two regiments, representing the youth 
and manhood of ten States, the best that each could 
furnish, stood arrayed in battle order upholding 
seventy-two battle-flags that had been borne in honor 
on many a field, and none of which had ever been 
touched by hands of the enemy. These flags had 
been rent by shot and shell, and now, tattered and 
torn and wet with rain, were drooping around their 
shafts like the bedraggled wings of a fowl. For 
twenty-four hours not one of these twenty thousand 
men had enjoyed a moment of sleep. Some of the 
strongest and bravest in the Twentieth dropped 
to the ground and were unconscious before their 
bodies touched it. Most, however, stood up in the 
ranks, swaying restlessly backward and forward, 
pulling their feet out of the mud and putting them 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 373 

back again, fretful, complaining, and ill at ease. 
From right to left they covered half a mile, in places 
twenty ranks in depth, and nowhere less than eight. 
The exact direction of the Salient from the Brown 
house had been ascertained on the previous day 
by the use of the compass, and the first division was 
so formed that it would strike the projecting point, 
provided it was able to go forward without devia- 
tion from the given course. 

A great battle was about to be ushered in without 
the aid of artillery. There was neither drum to 
beat the charge nor bugle to sound the call. None of 
the accessories that usually accompany warlike forces 
and give to them a pomp and circumstance to fill 
the eye and feed the imagination were here. There 
were no oflScers on horseback, hurrying hither and 
thither, in front or on either flank, giving life, color, 
and animation to the field with their clattering sabres, 
waving plumes, and brilliant uniforms; neither were 
there any picturesque groups of them in the back- 
ground. Every one was on foot, for all horses were 
left behind the lines. Barlow was in the centre of 
his massed division, while Birney, Mott, and Gibbon 
were stationed in the midst of their troops. So slight 
was the information given to General Barlow of the 
character of the ground over which he was to pass, 
that he inquired of Colonel Comstock of General 
Grant's staff whether or not there was a ravine a 
thousand feet in depth in front; and receiving no 
satisfactory answer, he concluded that he was about 
to lead a forlorn hope and gave his valuables and some 
messages to a friend. 

After a delay of half an hour on account of the fog 
and darkness, at 4.30 the word was given for the 
movement to begin. Until the Salient was captured 



374 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

no other command was given. The great column 
became its own commander-in-chief, for brigade and 
division generals being buried in the mass, it was 
impossible for them to give it directions by further 
orders. Still their presence was felt, for the men were 
conscious that their leaders were with them to share 
every danger. This alone was of no small value. 
When it grew lighter and one could look around, 
and objects became visible, it was seen that the 
corps had been marched all night through mud and 
rain for something out of the common experience. 
The Second Corps had never before been massed 
into a solid body to move against the enemy, and 
never in such form as that in which it was now ar- 
rayed. Great events have a power of self-proclama- 
tion; and although nothing had been communicated 
to the troops as to what was expected of them, the 
feeling ran through the ranks that they were near 
to momentous happenings. All thought of what 
had gone before — want of sleep, fatigue, untold 
discomforts — was forgotten, and the manner in 
which the drama was to unfold and close was now 
the question of supreme interest. The warlike spirit 
was rising and became plainly visible. When half 
a mile out, the front line of Birney's division per- 
ceived that it was somewhat behind Barlow's col- 
umn, and without orders quickened step and soon 
came up to a proper alignment. Near the Landron 
house the enemy's pickets opened fire upon the flank- 
ing regiment, but without noticing them it passed 
along. As the woods on either side became visible, 
these landmarks showed that the true course had 
been kept, and the lines had been well preserved. 
When the column had ascended a low ridge that 
crossed its path, the Salient burst into view, with 



^^vown H. 



THE SALIENT 



■ I»afiaroa-J/. 




SPOTTSYLVANIA 375 

frowning forts and connecting rifle pits, spaced off 
with traverses rising high above them. Down the 
slope in front was a line of abatis, formed of in- 
, terlacing trees, whose branches had been cut and 
sharpened at the ends, presenting a formidable 
obstacle. But to men now wrought to a high pitch 
of enthusiasm and animated by a sudden presenti- 
ment of victory, obstacles were not considered. 

With loud cheering, the troops rushed forward, 
broke down and burst through the abatis, and in 
a moment the first wave of this human tide swept 
over the crest and dropped down on the further side 
of the intrenchments. The men had seen much close 
and hard fighting, but now they were in the midst 
of the enemy and for the first time, were making 
quick and sharp use of the bayonet and clubbed 
musket. But these were brave men that they sought 
to conquer, men who would not willingly drop their 
flag. They were the same who had been led by Stone- 
wall Jackson; the same who broke through the 
line at Gulp's Hill and held their ground for many 
hours with fierce tenacity; the same who met and 
held Warren's men in check on the 5th of May in 
the Wilderness. The contest was quick, sharp, and 
decisive. Many were killed and more were wounded; 
but being surrounded on every side by determined 
men, Johnson and his whole division, except a few 
that escaped, surrendered. Twenty guns, thirty 
flags, and four thousand prisoners were the substan- 
tial trophies of this assault. The Second Corps never 
had a prouder hour, unless it was at Gettysburg, 
where, holding a defensive position, the action was 
the reverse of this day's triumph. 

There has always been much contention be- 
tween the divisions as to which planted its flag upon 



376 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the parapet first, but the difference in time was so 
slight that each was entitled to share alike in the 
honor. 

Gibbon had been directed to remain in reserve; 
but either by new orders or a spontaneous impulse 
(probably the latter), the division followed close in 
the rear of Barlow and went over the works with his 
men. Carroll's and Owen's brigades were to the 
left of Barlow and broke in on Stuart's brigade, 
which was captured entire with its commander. 
Webb's brigade marched up into the space between 
Barlow and Birney and shared with the others in 
the capture of Walker's and York's brigades. 

A gap in the centre of Lee's army had been made, 
a mile in extent, which gave promise for a time of 
a complete rout and overthrow of his forces. And 
now became manifest, at once, the effect of a con- 
dition deemed essential for the initiatory success of 
the movement, which rendered further direction 
difficult and unsuccessful. The hundred or more 
staff officers, who on their fleet horses would have 
been able to carry the necessary instructions quickly 
over a widely extended line, and, with their long 
experience and high intelligence, would have been 
so powerful a factor in bringing the troops into order, 
and arranging them for a further effective advance, 
were all afoot. Here in a small space in front of the 
captured works were twenty thousand men (less the 
killed, wounded, and a few stragglers), disordered 
somewhat by the march, more by the assault, now 
carried away by a sudden victory of unlooked-for 
proportions and thrown into confusion that required 
the promptest action to disentangle and reduce to an 
ordered array. The enthusiasm of a broken line re- 
sulting from a victory is only a little more efficient 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 377 

than the despondency of one broken by defeat. 
The officers commanding the divisions were capable 
men and knew what the situation demanded, but 
they were almost powerless. There was no one to 
carry their orders quickly or assist much in executing 
them. At such times as well as during a flight, one 
might well offer a kingdom for a horse, for he that 
is thus borne carries with him a dignity and authority 
that commands respect and wins obedience to his 
voice. This most potent and effective arm of the ser- 
vice being thus paralyzed or nearly so, the great 
corps, which we have seen acting as its own comman- 
der-in-chief during the assault, continued to follow 
its own impulse, which carried it forward in tumultu- 
ous pursuit of the enemy. Forward into the brush 
and woods the men went, and meeting part of Gor- 
don's reserve division at the McCool house,, they put 
Johnson's brigade to flight and followed on until 
the fortified line at the base of the Salient was reached. 
Here were two fresh brigades and the rallied troops 
of Johnson. It would have been impossible for the 
disorganized pursuing force to carry it, and such an 
action was not attempted. 

During this hour, so critical to the Army of North- 
ern Virginia, men on horseback were swiftly flying 
to various parts of the line to bring up fresh and or- 
ganized troops to meet the greatest danger that had 
ever yet threatened it. From Rodes's division came 
Ramseur ; from Mahone's division, Perrin and Harris; 
and from Wilcox's division, McGowan; these, with 
Gordon's division, made eight fresh brigades which 
were soon ready to contest with the Second Corps 
the conquest of the Salient. By eight o'clock they 
had forced our wearied and disorganized forces to 
the outer face of the captured line, around which 



378 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

was waged, until three o'clock the following morn- 
ing, the fiercest battle of modern times. It was so 
bloody, and had such an aspect of savagery about it, 
that it is well to leave its details to be filled in by the 
imagination of those who wish for the completed 
picture. It was at the West Angle that the solid oak 
tree, twenty-two inches in diameter, was cut down 
by minie balls, a simple fact more eloquent than 
words to picture what was endured and suffered 
there. The position was held, and at the hour above 
mentioned the Confederate forces were withdrawn. 
It is scarcely necessary and hardly possible to 
describe separately the part taken by the Twentieth 
in this action. A little force of not much more than 
two hundred men is so lost in a mass of twenty thou- 
sand that it would be exaggeration to emphasize its 
influence or to give to it especial importance in such 
a battle. It moved forward with Webb's brigade, 
went over the works as its foremost regiment, retired 
to its outer face by order, and remained there dur- 
ing the day and following night. Among its brave 
men who fell wounded there was Private Charles 
O. Newell, struck three times and left by his com- 
rades as dead, and so reported by them to his family. 
He lay unconscious for a long time, and the first 
words he heard were those of a Confederate soldier 
who was saying that he still lived. During the day 
he was carried to the rear of the Confederate line 
and left on the ground uncaced for. The next day 
he was lifted into a cart and was being carried 
with many other prisoners under guard to Gordons- 
ville, when, while passing through some woods, he 
slipped out of the cart, hid himself in some bushes, 
and early in the morning of the 14th rejoined the 
regiment. During the war he was shot seven times 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 379 

and was three times a prisoner. One ball went through 
his body and passed out, while another, entering 
just below the heart, still remains in him. He en- 
listed at the age of fifteen on the formation of the 
Twentieth, served three years, reenlisted, and was 
one of the four or five original men to return with 
the regiment at the end of the war. He now lives in 
Charlestown. . 

Separate reports of casualties during the cam- 
paign of 1864 were not made on account of the 
frequency of battles and were grouped together 
between fixed dates as officers had time to make 
them out. The following list includes losses from 
May 5th to May 17th. 

Field and Staff. Killed: Major Henry L. Abbott; Adju- 
tant Henry M. Bond. Wounded: Colonel George N. Macy. 

Company A. Killed: Privates William Armstrong, Bradford 
W. Beal, Albert A. Manley, Tyler Richardson. Wounded: 
Captain Albert B. Holmes; Sergeant Peter Newkirk; Cor- 
poral John C. Orcutt; Privates August Brown, James R. 
Hamilton, Michael Harty, Thomas C. Haskins, Benjamin 
F. Heath, Jacob Miller, Abraham Morse, James T. Nicker- 
son, Frederick Rodnitsky, WilHam Ryder, John Smith, Al- 
bert Steiber, James SulUvan, James F. Thompson. Missing: 
Private August Brice. 

Company B. Killed: Privates Henry Bode, Carl W. J. Fin- 
horn. Wounded: Captain William F. Perkins; Sergeant 
Charles Rost; Corporals Fredinand Decker, Gustave Otto, 
Privates Henry H. Beddings, Julius Boehme, Michael Burke, 
Edward Dillon, Otto Ecker, Frederick Gluer, Theodore 

Kessler, Louis Gurlitz, James Harrington, Hortsheiner, 

Jacob Leib, Mannsman, John McDonald, James Mealy, 

Edward Nolter, John Reardon, Charles Schultz. Captured: 
Private Henry W. Schultz. Missing: Musician John Tuttle; 
Privates Franz Bauer, Michael Bauer, J. Bihard, Louis Boes, 
Hugh McDonald, Carl Miller. 



380 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Company C. Killed: Privates Frederick Huncke, Carsten 
Jacobsen, Patrick McGovem, Theodore Moehle, John Quim- 
bly, Edward Reymers, Edward Toepfler. Wounded: Ser- 
geants William Fuchs, Albert Smoke; Privates Ernest Bierich, 
Lyman R. Blood, Alois Boehme, Charies Freeman, George Gar- 
nett, Werner Hahn, WilHam Hammell, Samuel Hodges, Martin 
Koch, August Krug, Frederick W. Miller, Peter Rooney, Henry 
Schmidt, John Schroeder, Henry Schwabe, Herman Seifert. 
Captured: Privates Leon Fevier, Albert Hausch, Frederick 
Kuhn. Missing: Privates Franz Boehme, Ludwig Damp, 
WilUam Finn, James Fowler, William Ochlenschlager, 
Simon Otto, John Prehl. 

Company D. Killed: Sergeant Robert Blackburn, Jr.; Cor- 
poral Dennis Dugan; Private John Fisher. Wounded: Ser- 
geant Alden H. Holbrook; Corporal James Donnelly; Privates 
Hugh Armstrong, John M. Cheney, William Davis, Hugo 
Grah, Frederick Hampe, Henry Herschen, Herman Humpke, 
William F. Keifer, John Lynch, John McDonald, Patrick 
O'Neil, William D. Perry, Samuel Tullar. Captured : Privates 
Nathan P. Kendrick, John B. Kemochan, Gustave Schoen- 
herr, James O. Sherman. Missing: Privates Robert Clare, 
Thomas A. Dow, Lewis Kempton, Juhus Pommertch, David 
Scanlan. 

Company E. Killed: First Lieutenant Edward Sturgis; Pri- 
vates Noah L. Cummings, James B. Wilson. Wounded: 
Sergeant Henry Borden; Corporals Moses H. Gale, Henry 
Kelley; Privates Theodore Bostell, Eugene Connelly, Josiah 
M. Darrell, John Ehles, Edward F. Fisher, Nathan H. Gray, 
William H. Ingalls, Thomas Kehoe, Charles E. Leslie, John 
McCaul, Henry Miller, John Murphy, John Newer, Patrick 
O'Leary, William Ponneitz, Henry Rakke, Rudolph Seiberg, 
Thomas Waters, Heinrich Yager. Missing: Privates Setien 
Bender, William Bettmer, William Volker. 

Company F. Killed: Sergeant Charles Cain; Privates John 
Amende, Charles Myatt. Wounded : Privates Frank Bartley, 
Adam Bollmer, Felix Chaplin, Jean B. Dalpe, Christian 
Diercks, Carl Gessper, Heinrich Hegedon, George Haines, 



SPOTTSYLVANIA 381 

Julius Hillse, William Huffman, Thomas Joy, John Keefe, 
William Languirichr, Livi Locke, Patrick McManus, Albert 
Meyer, Emil Pinkan, John B. Rinaldo, Charles Rosenan, 
George W. Russell, William Schriever, Eugene Sulhvan, 
George Warren. Captured : Private Francis Constant. Miss- 
ing: Privates Peter Sharer, Herman Zeitz. 

Company G. Killed: Corporal Charles E. Jones; Privates 
Owen Cue, James Home, Robert Kelley. Wounded: Cor- 
porals John Chapman, Patrick Coughlin; Privates John 
Brunt, Robert Demer, James French, Daniel Kenny, Christian 
Lechbrum, John Little, Jeremiah Lucius, Charles Lvnch, 
James Lynch, Robert Miller, JuUus Moeller, Christian Moe- 
nig, Joseph Potter, Henry F. Steinburg, Martin Sturm, Jere- 
miah Sullivan. Captured: Privates Charles C. Lewis, Luke 
Miller, Phihp Morton. Missing: Privates James Franklin, 
John Jackson, William Metro, John Palm. 

Company H. Killed: First Lieutenant Lansing E. Hibbard; 
Corporal Henry A. Fairbanks; Privates Richard Evans, Carl 
Gieppe, Charles Harris, John H. Merrill, Charles A. Mohr, 
Albert Paffraith, Wilham Platte, WilUam Schiller, Darby 
Tucker, Charles A. Warren. Wounded: Second Lieutenant 
Benjamin B. Pease; First Sergeant Edward Welton; Ser- 
geants John Doyle, Stephen Longfellow ; Privates James Dunn, 
John F. Horan, Peter Kennedy, Charles Ricketson, James 
Rourke, James A. Smith, Timothy Wiley. Captured : Corpo- 
ral Charles O. Newell. Missing: Privates Frederick Cortez, 
John Lowry. 

Company I. Wounded : First Lieutenant H. W. T. MaU, Jr. ; 
Sergeant Patrick Lanergan; Corporals Edward P. Greene, 
Wilham E. Manning; Privates Frank Andrews, Samuel 
Crocker, Barzilla Crowell, Wilham B. Low, George B. Star- 
buck, Jonas Zeis, JuUus Zeir. Captured: First Sergeant 
Wilham Kelley. Missing: Privates Samuel H. Bailey, Wil- 
liam Hartenstein, Theodore Laidsch, George L. Temple. 

Company K. Killed : Privates John Anderson, Willliam Dou- 
cheski, Frederick Mercerschmidt. Wounded : First Lieuten- 



382 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

ant Nathaniel B. Ellis; Corporal David A. Smith; Privates 
John Boyd, Thomas Corbett, John Cott, William Fordham, 
John Hinds, Fritz Katz, Peter Keenan, Herman Loretz, Ed- 
ward Murphy, Augustus Nesi, Samuel Sloan, George Went- 
worth, Edward Wettberg. Missing : Privates Frederick Buck, 
Michael Donnelly, Julius Krass, August Sohm. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

FROM SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 

Between the 12th and 19th of May, during which 
time the Army of the Potomac was located about 
Spottsylvania, it was not only constantly manoeuv- 
ring, but was at the same time being refitted with all 
the articles necessary for its complete equipment — 
horses for the artillery and cavalry, ambulances for 
the medical department, and clothing and supplies 
for the men. 

General Meade, believing that the concentration 
of the Confederate forces about the Salient had 
weakened the left of their line, determined to make 
another attack near the Fredericksburg Road. In 
this movement the Fifth Corps led, followed by the 
Sixth, but owing to the darkness and the condition 
of the roads, they did not arrive in season for the con- 
templated attack on the morning of the 14th. The 
uncovering of the lines was discovered by the Con- 
federates in the morning in season to send troops 
to the right, who arrived on the ground where the 
assault was to be made, and for this reason it was 
abandoned. On the morning of the 15th General 
Hancock withdrew Barlow's and Gibbon's divisions 
to the vicinity of the Ny River, and left Birney to 
hold and protect the right flank of the army. 

As General Lee had moved his troops to conform 
to the changed position of the Federal army, the divi- 
sions of Barlow and Gibbon were sent back to the 



384 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

Landroii house, together with the Sixth Corps, for 
the purpose of making an attack upon the enemy's 
left which was supposed to have been much weak- 
ened. The two divisions were formed in line of brig- 
ades on the morning of the 18th and moved forward 
to the attack, but were met by so fierce a fire that 
on the advice of Hancock General Meade ordered 
the assault to be discontinued and his troops were 
withdrawn. " In ordering this assault " General Mor- 
gan, Chief of Staff of the Second Corps, writes, "it 
was perhaps supposed the corps would be urged 
to greater efforts to repeat its previous achievements 
on the same ground (the Salient) ; but such was not 
the fact. Large numbers of the dead were still un- 
buried, and having been exposed to the hot sun for 
nearly a week presented a hideous sight. Such a stench 
came up from the field as to make many of the offi- 
cers and men deathly sick. All the circumstances 
were such as to dishearten the men rather than to 
encourage them." 

It was on this day that Captain Kelliher was 
wounded while the Twentieth was making its attack 
as part of Gibbon's division. Dr. Perry following on 
behind the regiment saw a pair of boots sticking 
out from a clump of bushes, and discovered the 
body of this brave officer almost concealed by them. 
He was unconscious, and was carried on a stretcher 
to the rear. He had been struck by a shell and fear- 
fully mangled. He was bleeding profusely from a 
laceration of the sub-clavian artery, which was 
treated as well as could be on the field, and then left 
in expectation that death would soon follow. His arm 
and shoulder blade had been torn off, three of his 
ribs displaced, and his jaw broken in several places. 
Subsequently he became conscious, when the surgeons 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 385 

again turned their attention to him and dressed all 
his wounds. When the operation was completed, 
the line of the suture for closing the wounds ran from 
the ear to within an inch of the pelvis. He became 
conscious after the operation, and the next day all 
the wounded were ordered to be removed to the 
White House, a distance of twenty miles. Dr. Perry 
told the captain of the order, informed him that he 
did not think it possible for him to survive such a 
journey, and offered to remain with him. The brave 
fellow declared that he would take all the risks of 
the journey and that he was going to live. His power- 
ful will alone saved him. On the 25th of the follow- 
ing November he returned and for a time was in 
command of the regiment. He was subsequently re- 
warded with a commission in the regular army, and 
at this date is living, a retired officer, at St. Paul, 
Minnesota. 

On the 19th General Hancock received instruc- 
tions to move to Bowling Green at two o'clock on 
the following morning and take up a position on 
the right bank of the Mattapony, and General Tor- 
bert was directed to report to him with a force of 
cavalry. This movement was, however, delayed for 
a day, owing to the appearance of General Ewell 
in our rear, who was handsomely defeated by Gen- 
eral Tyler's division of heavy artillery, with a con- 
fessed loss of nine hundred; but daybreak of the 21st 
found the head of the column at Guinea's Station, 
and at about ten o'clock it reached Bowling Green. 
Near Milford Station Torbert found some Confeder- 
ate infantry lying behind rifle-pits on the north bank 
of the Mattapony, and making a vigorous dash ran 
over them with his cavalry, taking sixty prisoners, 
and securing the bridge over the river. The corps 



386 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

at once crossed over, Birney remaining in the rear, 
and in a surprisingly short time constructed intrench- 
ments that excited the admiration of all who exam- 
ined them. The command being separated by some 
twenty miles from the rest of the army, Hancock 
thought it unsafe to remain in such an isolated posi- 
tion without artificial protection. By night-fall of 
the 22d the other corps had arrived and Lee had 
concentrated his army at Hanover Junction. 

At five o'clock on the morning of the 23d, we again 
broke camp and, after a tiresome and rapid march, 
arrived about mid-day at a place called Chester- 
field on the North Anna. Here we found Torbert 
skirmishing with the enemy, and were at once thrown 
into line. There were some Confederates on our 
side of the river who were manning some works which 
defended the bridge, but two brigades from Birney's 
division, commanded by Colonels Thomas W. Egan 
and Byron R. Pierce, charged across the fields from 
opposite directions and quickly gained the rifle-pits 
and bridge, driving the enemy pell-mell across the 
river. The next morning Birney crossed and occu- 
pied some abandoned works around the Fox house, 
and two pontoon bridges were thrown over for the 
use of Barlow and Gibbon, who took up positions 
in prolongation of Birney's line. 

General Warren reached the North Anna about 
the same time as Hancock, and crossed at Jericho 
Mills three miles up the stream, to be attacked the 
same afternoon with much vigor by Hill. At first 
Cutler's division was broken and thrown into dis- 
order, but, after a severe conflict, the enemy was 
repulsed and the position made secure. During 
the twenty-fourth, both Hancock and Warren ad- 
vanced and established their forces close to the 



Pr a da r t cfc s b u.vg 




J{,ahid,an,to Petersbu-rj 



SPOTTSLYVANIA TO THE JAMES 387 

Confederate line. Burnside was at Oxford on the 
other bank, and Wright was ordered to the right to 
cooperate with Warren. Toward evening of this 
day, the left of the Second Corps, held by Smythe's 
brigade, was vigorously assailed, but with the assist- 
ance of some reenforcements which most oppor- 
tunely arrived the assailants were driven off. 

The whole of the twenty-fifth was spent in re- 
connoitring the Confederate line with the result 
that it was thought inadvisable to attack it. The 
ground was naturally strong and the industrious 
Southern soldiers had constructed intrenchments 
that were even stronger than those of Hancock 
already mentioned, which had been so much ad- 
mired. Owing to a sharp bend in the river the 
wings of the army were divided, and there was no 
communication between the two except by passing 
over two bridges by a long detour. 

The conclusion having been reached that it was 
inadvisable to attack, there was nothing left to do 
but to quit an unpromising locality and seek other 
fields. The cavalry, which had started on its great 
raid on the eighth of May, had returned after in- 
flicting much injury on the enemy, not the least 
being the death of the brilliant leader of the Con- 
federate cavalry corps at Yellow Tavern, which 
was most greatly deplored in the South, though it 
is now thought his abilities were somewhat over- 
estimated during his lifetime. Sheridan was now 
sent with a column of horsemen around the Con- 
federate left, under a general commission to do all 
the mischief possible to the railroads and perform 
other acts of material value, but his real oflSce was 
to create the impression that the infantry would 
follow in the same direction. Whether or not Gen- 



388 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

eral Lee was deceived into forming this opinion, 
General Grant determined to make at once an- 
other turn to the left, in the hope of finding an oppor- 
tunity to strike a fatal blow at the Confederate army 
or to interpose between it and Richmond. 

Accordingly the army started soon after dark 
on May 26 for a long march of thirty-three miles 
to the Pamunkey River, which it expected to reach 
near Hanover Town. The Sixth Corps took the 
lead by the roads furthest west, followed by the 
Second Corps, while the Fifth Corps, followed by 
the Ninth, moved over parallel roads to the east. 
So rapid and unobstructed was the march that 
General Russell reported from the south side of the 
river, as early as ten o'clock of the next morning, 
that his division had already reached Huntley's 
Ford. In the afternoon the Sixth and Second Corps 
were directed to cross the Pamunkey at this point, 
which is four miles above Hanover Town, and the 
Fifth and Ninth Corps were ordered to cross at 
Hanover Town. 

On the twenty-eighth the army continued to 
press forward over the roads leading to Richmond, 
but soon found that Lee by forced marches had 
again succeeded in interposing between it and the 
Confederate capital. Although several sharp con- 
flicts took place with parts of the several corps while 
moving from the Pamunkey to Totopotomoy Creek, 
the results were in no way of much importance. 
Lee's position being found very strong, the Federal 
army was swung around to the left in the direc- 
tion of Cold Harbor which was already occupied 
by Sheridan's cavalry. 

After dark on May 31, General Wright started 
off with the Sixth Corps under instructions to make 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 389 

Cold Harbor by daylight of June 1, if possible, for 
it was believed that a strong effort would be made 
at that hour to drive Sheridan out. It was known 
that General Hoke was near, but it was not known 
that Kershaw was close by him and that Long- 
street's corps also was not far away. Kershaw at- 
tacked Sheridan early in the morning with two 
brigades, but the gallant cavalry leader was able 
to hold his own by the use of his repeating rifles 
until shortly after nine o'clock, when Wright arrived 
and relieved him. The Sixth Corps was now some 
ten or twelve miles from the rest of the Army of the 
Potomac in the presence of a strong force of the 
enemy, but it was expected that General Smith, 
who was reported at White House on the 31st of 
May, would appear at any moment with ten thou- 
sand men from the Army of the James. It was not 
until two o'clock in the afternoon, however, that 
these troops began to arrive, as, owing to a mis- 
direction, they had taken the wrong road, which 
prolonged their march some ten miles. By six o'clock 
the two corps were united, the Sixth on the left, 
covering the road from Cold Harbor to Richmond, 
and the Eighteenth (as the troops under Smith are 
designated in the reports, although in fact this divi- 
sion was composed of detachments of the Tenth 
and Eighteenth Corps) holding the roads leading 
to Bethesda Church and Mechanicsville. On their 
front were the divisions of Hoke, Kershaw, Pick- 
ett, and Field, two of them recent reenforcements, 
holding a double line of intrenchments from right 
to left in the above order. There was much open 
ground where artillery was placed, which played 
its part in the battle about to open. The attack 
was made by the two corps simultaneously along 



390 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the whole line with much spirit and force. Ricketts's 
division of the Sixth Corps struck the left of Hoke's 
division and the right of Kershaw's, carrying the 
main intrenchments with a rush and securing over 
five hundred prisoners. A part of the lost ground 
was recovered by the Confederates and a new line 
was formed in rear of the part permanently held 
by Ricketts. The casualties in the Sixth were twelve 
hundred killed and wounded. The Eighteenth was 
less successful, but carried the intrenched picket 
line, taking two hundred and fifty prisoners. It 
gained a position, and held it close to the main line, 
which it had failed to break through. General Dev- 
ens's leading division lost heavily, and the corps a full 
thousand. 

On the afternoon of the first of June, General 
Hancock was ordered to withdraw from his works 
soon after dark and make every effort to reach 
Cold Harbor by daylight, and to join on the left of 
the Sixth Corps in season to cooperate in another 
attack, in which, according to orders, all the forces 
about Cold Harbor were to participate. The mes- 
sage to Hancock was couched in especially urgent 
language and every effort was made to comply 
with it, but the diflSculties of the march were so 
great that it was half past six before the head of the 
column reached Cold Harbor, where it was found 
that the men were in such a state of exhaustion 
that time for rest was absolutely necessary. This 
and additional reasons postponed the attack until 
five o'clock in the afternoon, when a second post- 
ponement continued the delay until half-past four 
of the following morning. 

During the second the skirmishers kept up a 
heavy fire, and many changes of position were 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 391 

made. The Fifth and Ninth Corps were drawn in 
toward the Eighteenth; the Second Corps filled 
the space between the Chickahominy and the left 
of Wright; the Second Division of the Sixth Corps 
took Devens's place; and Devens was transferred 
to the right of the Eighteenth. The movements 
on the right were not effected without consider- 
able fighting in which several divisions partici- 
pated, and in which General Dole, a very gallant 
Southern officer, was killed. 

Lee's army was now in position on the left bank 
of the Chickahominy, only a few miles from the 
fortifications of Richmond, and it was thought 
that if his lines could be broken with a river be- 
hind him the results would justify the risk of a 
general assault by the whole army. 

Rain commenced to fall on the second and con- 
tinued through the night, and, although refreshing 
after the extreme heat of the past few days, brought 
much discomfort to men sleeping unsheltered on the 
ground. Promptly at the hour named on the morning 
of the third, the Second, Sixth and Eighteenth Corps 
advanced under a heavy fire of artillery and mus- 
ketry and soon gained the enemy's rifle-pits. At nearly 
every point not only was there a direct fire from 
the front, but shot and shell and bullets came pour- 
ing on the flanks of every column, from Smith on the 
right to Hancock on the left. Notwithstanding the 
fact that men were everywhere falling like leaves in 
autumn, the advance was continued on each front 
until in some places positions were gained as near 
as thirty yards from the enemy's works, but beyond 
this the men could not go. Seeking cover wherever 
they could, the troops planted their battle flags and 
held the ground so dearly bought. Barlow's division 



392 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

carried a salient on the road from Dispatch Station 
and after a severe struggle took three hundred pris- 
oners, one battle-flag, and three guns which were 
turned upon the retreating forces. The salient so 
gallantly carried was subject to an enfilading fire and 
fresh troops from Breckinridge's division and others 
from Hill's corps rushed forward to retake it. With 
great stubbornness the brigades of Brooke and Miles 
held on, and continued to battle against great odds 
until all hope of reenf orcements was abandoned, when 
they retired a few yards and began to fortify a posi- 
tion, using their bayonet to loosen the earth and their 
tin plates for shovels with which to throw it forward, 
and thus they remained for the rest of the day, hold- 
ing what they called their tin plate intrenchments. 

Gibbon's division, with which the Twentieth acted, 
was cut in two, as it moved forward, by an impassable 
swamp, which forced one wing to the right and the 
other to the left of it. A single regiment alone of 
Haskell's brigade gained the breastworks. It was 
the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth New York, and 
was led forward by its gallant commander. Colonel 
McMahon, who, carrying its colors in his own hand, 
fell dead in the midst of the enemy. A portion of 
Smythe's brigade also gained, but could not hold, 
the intrenchments. In twenty-two minutes from the 
time the signal was given every portion of the corps 
had been repulsed, and in this short time three thou- 
sand men had fallen. Colonels McKeen, Byrnes, 
Haskell, Morris, McMahon and Porter were killed; 
and Generals Tyler and Brooke were severely wounded. 
These were among the bravest and most accomplished 
oflficers of the corps. Colonel Frank A. Haskell, a 
lieutenant on General Gibbon's staff, was appointed 
to the command of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin for 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 393 

his great services during the battle of Gettysburg. 
For a while, as least, he was the only mounted officer 
with the Second Corps when Pickett's men broke 
through the lines on Cemetery Ridge, and thousands 
looked on with admiration as he rode between the 
fighting lines, calling upon the men to follow him 
and hurl back the foe. During the night of the 2d of 
June Haskell, McMahon, and McKeen slept on the 
ground under the same blanket. They were close 
friends. They were young men, and each as a staff 
officer had gained a brilliant reputation not only 
for personal gallantry, but for conspicuous intelligence 
and faithfulness in every duty. About the same time 
they were appointed colonels of regiments from their 
respective states. McKeen's commission being of 
earlier date, he was in command of the brigade and 
the two friends were serving under him. During the 
evening they were talking together in a pleasant vein 
as to whose lot it would be to be hit first the next day, 
for it was known that the assault was to be made 
in the early morning. Within fifteen minutes from 
the time the lines were formed on the third the three 
were dead. McKeen fell first, then Haskell his suc- 
cessor in command of the brigade, then McMahon, 
having reached the parapet with the colors of the 
regiment in his hands, fell dead inside the enemy's 
lines. ^ Gibbon's division on this day lost 2217 offi- 
cers and men killed and wounded. The Fifth and 
Ninth Corps were so far committed to the battle as 
to lose 1200, making a grand total for the army of 
8411. As the main assault was made by the three 
corps on the left, and, as it lasted no longer than 
thirty minutes at any point, the fearful rapidity with 

^ The foregoing facts were related to the writer by Lieutenant- 
General Nelson A. Miles. 



394 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

which the men must have fallen is easily seen. On 
no other battle-field during the war was such a mor- 
tality list made up in so short a space of time. 

The troops were ordered to hold the advance po- 
sitions gained, and information soon filtered down 
from headquarters through the ranks that no further 
assaults would be ordered, and that siege operations 
would be commenced at once for the purpose of 
driving Lee beyond the Chickahominy. This rumor 
may have been circulated for the purpose of remov- 
ing the disquieting feelings that would have other- 
wise prevailed, but that such an idea was ever enter- 
tained by General Grant there is no reason to believe. 
The work undertaken and carried on during the 
nine days that the army passed at Cold Harbor took 
on the character of siege operations. The advanced 
positions gained on the morning of the third, and held 
during the day were connected with the main line, 
and everywhere the intrenchments were reconstructed 
so as to form a line of massive proportions. It was 
very irregular, running forward in places to within 
thirty yards of the enemy, and then receding in a way 
to leave many of those salients where the Confede- 
rates were able to pour in a cross fire upon them with 
infantry and artillery. The parapets were lifted to 
a height of eight feet and the thickness of the works 
were generally not less than twelve feet. To protect 
the men in the trenches from an enfilading fire, tra- 
verses were constructed in many places of great 
height and thickness, which gave the appearance, 
looking at them from the rear, of a long row of gigan- 
tic horse stalls. 

The Twentieth went into the trenches for twenty- 
four hours every third day, and this was the rule for 
all. From the 'sd until the 12th of June there were 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 395 

nine memorable days, filled with labor and watch- 
ing, telling fearfully upon the physical strength, 
which made itself manifest at the hospitals, where 
the number of sick grew to be very large. Notwith- 
standing the heavy losses there was no despondency; 
the men took their turns in the trenches with cheer- 
fulness, though there was never for a moment any 
cessation of firing. Standing behind an earth em- 
bankment twelve feet thick and of height to protect 
the tallest head seemed comfortable and safe com- 
pared with charging through open fields against 
works of like character held by the enemy. For six 
miles from right to left there was not a space of twenty 
feet where holes of suflficient size to run out a rifle 
had not been ingeniously made, through which the 
best marksmen were at work during the day when- 
ever an object worthy of a shot was seen. The enemy 
were not behind in these devices, and the experts 
in gunnery on either side kept up a species of Indian 
warfare from light until darkness, until the evening 
of the 12th of June. It is not known which party 
came off best in this contest, but many were killed 
and wounded each day. Once the bullets of two of 
these duelists met at mid-distance, and the sound 
of the crash was distinctly heard. 

Just to the right of the Twentieth was a valley 
through which ran a little stream which necessitated 
leaving an uncovered space in the line which divided 
the next regiment into two parts. Although, when- 
ever any one crossed from side to side, there was al- 
ways one or more rifles pointed at him, there was ever 
some one ready to take the risk, and several paid the 
penalty of their useless bravado. One day the colonel 
of the regiment was called upon to go across for some 
duty or other, and, escaping the first fusillade by 



396 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

jumping behind a large pine tree, he drew a second 
by exposing his hat, which was riddled, and then ran 
across in safety. The tedium of life in the trenches 
was sometimes relieved in the evening by bringing 
up the regimental bands, and the Confederates doing 
the same, we had the pleasure of having two concerts 
at the same time. There was the same rivalry among 
the musicians as among the sharpshooters, each try- 
ing to outdo the other. Usually arms were silent 
while the bands played. Each side would cheer its 
national airs. It was indeed a kind of musical duel, 
for when our bands struck up the "Star Spangled 
Banner," theirs would break out with "Bonnie 
Blue Flag," and "America" was matched with "My 
Maryland." Once when "Old John Brown" was 
being given with much vigor and snap, the rival con- 
cert ceased and twenty cannon thundered an answer 
to the insolent song. 

When the regiment was off duty and presumably 
resting, a quarter of a mile to the rear, there was 
never absolute security from danger. Bullets and 
shells were occasionally flying over us or dropping 
into the camp. The enemy had brought up some 
Coehorn mortars, then heard for the first time, which 
threw shells high into the air to drop down no one 
could tell where. By night the burning fuse marked 
the upward flight and graceful curve as it descended 
to the ground. There was a good amount of powder 
and iron wasted in this way, for they seldom, if ever, 
did any real harm, though sleeping was not always 
sound during the performance of such an entertain- 
ment. When, as on the 7th of June, there was a 
furious outburst from Coehorns, artillery and mus- 
ketry, the position in the trenches was by far the 
safest, for the rear of the army was swept by a tempest 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 397 

of shell and bullets. General Hancock's headquarters, 
which were near the front, were struck several times, 
and the provost marshal of the corps was killed while 
standing in the doorway of his tent. 

On the front and to the rear there were both 
comic and tragic happenings. Tears and smiles 
follow on war as on peace. One of the men was 
boiling coffee in a tin cup over a fire he had kindled 
close to one of the Coehorn shells that had dropped 
without exploding. He was sitting close beside it, 
watching with interest for the time when his drink 
would be ready for use, when the great shell ex- 
ploded and scattered fire and coffee cup to the 
four winds. He sat there unmoved and unharmed, 
contemplating the wreckage, deploring his luck, 
and finally exclaimed, "There! that cussed thing 
has upset my coffee!" 

One day (the date is unimportant, but it was 
the 8th of June) two sutlers drove up in an open 
buggy with a load of tobacco which they intended 
to sell at a large profit. They were the first of the 
venders of comforts which the army had seen since 
crossing the Rapidan. The ground was cut up with 
four or five nearly parallel lines of intrenchments 
for one purpose or another, some continuous and 
others broken, but all with openings great or small 
through them. The team was driven about be- 
tween these to any place where a group of soldiers 
was seen; but before much merchandise had been 
disposed of, one of those stray bullets struck the 
horse, which, smarting from pain, ran with fright- 
ened speed into one of the intrenchments, where 
he was killed, the carriage shattered into worth- 
less pieces, and the tobacco scattered about the 
ground. The soldiers gathered it up and the sutlers 



398 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

departed carrying a broken harness, the only thing 
saved from a costly venture. 

Between the 9th and 11th of June a new line of 
intrenchments was built in rear of Cold Harbor, 
running from Elder Swamp to Allen's Mill Pond. 
There was much speculation among the men who 
worked on them as to what could be the object of 
their construction. It was soon made known to 
them. 

On the 7th of June General Sheridan started 
with two divisions of cavalry for Charlottesville, 
with instructions to General Hunter, whom he 
expected to meet there, to join with him in thor- 
oughly destroying the Central Railroad and then 
unite with the Army of the Potomac. It was nec- 
essary to put this road out of use as it carried sup- 
plies into Richmond, and a movement was about 
to be undertaken to transfer the army to the south 
of the James River. The nine days spent at Cold 
Harbor after the battle were wholly devoted to 
perfecting arrangements for carrying out this deli- 
cate and complicated movement. The plan was 
known only to the few who were charged with 
arranging the necessary preliminaries. A pontoon 
bridge of twenty-one hundred feet had first to be 
provided to span the river, and, when laid, the ap- 
proaches to it on either side must be so constructed 
that the army could commence its passage as soon 
as it reached the northern end. There was not 
one of the many details that was not completed on 
time. The bridges across the Chickahominy were 
laid at one o'clock on the morning of the 13th; they 
were made from the pontoons that followed the 
army. 

Soon after dark on the evening of the 12th, the 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 399 

army commenced withdrawing from the lines around 
Cold Harbor. The Second and Sixth Corps moved 
into the new line from Elder Swamp to Allen's 
Mill Pond, which it was to hold until the other corps 
and all the trains had passed by. Wilson's cavalry 
took the advance, and during the night crossed at 
Long Bridge and moved out to White Oak Bridge 
and Riddell's Shop, which gave the impression to 
Lee that Richmond was again to be threatened 
from the south side. The Fifth Corps followed 
Wilson, crossed at the same bridge, and relieved 
the cavalry at White Oak Bridge with two divi- 
sions, the other two being stationed in the rear for 
support. The cavalry was thrown out on the Charles 
City and Central roads, each leading to Richmond, 
where sharp skirmishing took place, the losses here 
during the day being about three hundred. These 
positions and the one at Malvern Hill were held 
until the 15th. Warren and Wilson furnished the 
curtain that screened the real movement from the 
enemy, the object and direction of which General 
Lee did not learn until the 17th. 

The Second Corps followed on behind Warren, 
and during the night of the 14th crossed to the 
south side of the James. The Sixth and Ninth 
Corps crossed the Chickahominy on bridges con- 
structed for them and took other roads to the river, 
while the trains and artillery followed routes still 
further to the east. By midnight of the 16th the 
army with all its trains and artillery was over the 
James. This movement was more complicated 
and fraught with more danger than the crossing 
of the Rapidan in May, and the clear and carefully 
prepared orders under which it was executed re- 
flect the highest credit upon General Humphreys 



400 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

for scientific knowledge and practical skill in pre- 
paring orders for the movements of a large army. 
The regiment suffered the following losses be- 
tween the 18th of May and the 15th of June. 

NoN-CoMMissiONED Staff. Wounded : Sergeant-Major George 
W. Leach. Captured: Principal Musician John Stevens. 

Company A. Killed: Privates Nehemiah F. Ball, Thomas C. 
Mack. Wounded: Privates Benjamin B.Besse, Patrick O'Con- 
nor, Charles Goodwin, William Gartland. Captured: Musi- 
cian William Baker; Drummer Charles H. Hall. Missing: 
Privates George Marshall, Charles Milton. 

Company B. Wounded: Privates Emil Brightfeldt, Constan- 
tine Eisner, William Lippert. Captured: Privates Henry 
C. Bornemann, Frederick Tendt, John VeiUard. Missing: 
Privates Philip Carey, Frederick Schrader, Adolph Wolfram. 

Company C. Killed : Private Michael Wolf. Wounded : Cap- 
tain John KelUher, ; Private Edmund G. Lippert. 

Company D. Killed: Privates John Dag, Charles Munroe, 
August Steinhoffer. Wounded: Captain Henry L. Patten; 
Privates John Devine, Charles Matthews. 

Company E. Killed: Private John Smith. Wounded: Pri- 
vates Oswald Durant, Henry Eggers, Frank Heill, Carl Jor- 
dan. Captured : Private John H. F. Schniidtz. Missing : Pri- 
vates Karl A. J, Albers, Joseph Chapman, Edward Kippler, 
Ludwig Miller, William Pecher, Harie Sclunidt. 

Company F. Killed : Private Rudolph Alpin. Wounded : Cap- 
tain John H. Summerhays; Privates JuUus Caesar, Albert 
Heinrich, Martin Mulroy. Missing: Privates Albert Hein- 
rich, John Staum. 

Company G. Killed: First Sergeant WilUam A. Johnson, 
Private Ezra D. Chace. Wounded: First Lieutenant J. W. R. 
Holland; Sergeant Patrick Crowley; Corporals John Flynn, 

Edward Long; Privates Ackard, James Duker, Michael 

Hasset, August Huhn. Missing: Privates John Brunt, 
Thomas Moeller. Captured: Private Henry C. A. L. Peitz. 



SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE JAMES 401 

Company H. Wounded: Privates William Hehl, John Wheel- 
ing, Wilham Wilson. 

Company I. Killed: Private A. C. Bean. Wounded: Captain 
Arthur R. Curtis; Private William O. Day. Captured: Pri- 
vate John O'Connor. 

Company K. Killed: Private James Smith. Wounded: First 
Sergeant Joseph H. Parker; Private Michael F. Hogan. Cap- 
tured: Private John W. Baxter. Missing: Privates George 
Albanes, John Anderson, Ernst Kyd, Herman J. Loretz. 



CHAPTER XIX 

PETERSBURG 

The Eighteenth Corps, which had joined the Army 
of the Potomac on the 3d of June, was now ordered 
back to Bermuda Hundred. It marched to White 
House on the 12th and was transported to its des- 
tination, arriving at Point of Rocks on the Appo- 
mattox during the afternoon of the 14th. General 
Smith was directed to move across the river at day- 
light of the 15th, with his own corps and such other 
troops as General Butler could spare, and take 
possession of Petersburg, being informed of the 
movements of the rest of the army, some portion 
of which, it was assured him, would be near on 
the afternoon of that day for such assistance and 
support as he might need. Smith did not assault 
the defences about Petersburg until seven o'clock 
in the evening, when, being defended by a small 
force, they were carried by a line of skirmishers. 
Five redans, with the artillery and forces in them, 
were captured and the way was open to enter the 
city. 

General Grant had visited General Butler on 
the 14th, and, while with him, had given the orders 
under which Smith was acting. With the large 
force given him it was expected that Petersburg 
would be taken, and that the arrival of the Army 
of the Potomac, which was hurrying forward to 
the same place, would be in season to hold the line 



PETERSBURG 403 

of the Appomattox, and thus cut off access to Rich- 
mond by every road except that from Danville. 
A single track for the hauling of supplies would 
not be equal to the support of Lee's army, and the 
fall of the Confederate capital could not long be 
delayed. The great flank movement across the 
James had been devised with this object in view, 
but the full realization of it was lost by the failure 
of General Smith to perform the part entrusted 
to him. 

General Hancock was informed that supplies 
for his corps would be forwarded to Windmill Point 
on the south of the James, and he was directed to 
sup])ly his troops and move on to Petersburg. Un- 
fortunately he was not informed of the attack to 
be inade upon that city, and, after waiting in vain 
for the promised provisions, he started at half past 
ten in the forenoon of the 15th on a seventeen mile 
march, which ended at half past seven on his arrival 
^t the lines already captured. He generously offered 
jaive his rank in favor of Smith and place him- 
and his troops under the latter's orders, but 
riest made of him was to relieve the 
|ie captured works, which he did. Dur- 
"^ jole of the 15th, and until nine o'clock 
j^^ng, the Confederate forces in and about 
cirg consisted of about two or three thous- 
anc '*xndifferent troops, mostly militia. Unfortu- 
nately, General Hancock had become so far dis- 
abled by the breaking out of his Gettysburg wounds 
that he was unable to ride, but, during the night, 
he ordered his division commanders to take any 
points commanding their positions at or before 
daylight of the next morning. General Egan car- 
ried a battery to the left in gallant manner, but 




404 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

was wounded in the action. General Birney was 
unable to accomplish much on his front, his attack 
being delayed until a much later hour than that 
contemplated in the orders, which gave the enemy 
time to occupy the very position he was expected 
to secure. 

General Meade sent an order to Hancock to 
assume command of all the troops at Petersburg 
and select positions for a general assault which 
was to take place at six o'clock in the afternoon. 
The attack was made by Birney and Barlow, in 
which a part of Gibbon's division and two brigades 
of the Eighteenth Corps participated, capturing 
three more redoubts with the connecting rifle-pits, 
but without really satisfying results. During the 
night two unsuccessful attempts were made by the 
Confederates to recover their lost ground. 

Early on the morning of the 17th, General S. G. 
Griflin of the Ninth Corps carried the lines about 
the Shand house, some distance south of whera 
the previous operations had taken place, in h. and 
some style, capturing six hundred prisoners iault 
four pieces of artillery with caissons even o'clock 
and one battle-flag. This assault had by a small 
fully prepared during the night: the meskirmishers. 
led into position with no word spokees in them, 
whisper, and, on the first appearance of /inter the 
line sprang forward and rushed over the pa ^ets 
to find the Confederates just rising up from sleep. 
Later in the day General Wilcox made an attack 
upon a line in front of the Shand house beyond 
Harrison Creek, but was unable to gain it. Later 
still, Ledlie's division met with some success against 
the same position, capturing a portion of the in- 
trenchments, a hundred prisoners, and a stand of 



».«• 

r'^* ^■^ 



RICHMO>fD 

AMTi 

PETERSBURG 



LBm>B«m.„v 



PETERSBURG 405 

colors; but was ultimately compelled to abandon 
them. Barlow, Crawford, Gibbon, and Birney were 
also engaged, gaining some ground west of Harri- 
son's Creek, but no great results were anywhere 
achieved. 

During the time that Smith, Hancock, and others 
were making these assaults upon Petersburg, Gen- 
eral Lee held his army north of the James in com- 
plete ignorance of the whereabouts of the Army 
of the Potomac, being unable to fathom General 
Grant's grand strategic movement. At haK past 
three on the afternoon of the 17th, he telegraphed 
to General W. H. F. Lee to push after the enemy 
and ascertain what had become of Grant's army. 
It was from General Beauregard that he learned, 
an hour later, of its location. 

On the morning of the 18th, it was ascertained 
that the enemy had evacuated the intrenchments 
which they had been occupying since the 15th, 
and had taken up a new line much shorter and 
nearer to the city. General Meade at once ordered 
the Second, Ninth, and Fifth Corps, being in this 
order from right to left, to advance and attack 
along the whole line. His instructions were very 
urgent that every effort should be made to gain 
possession of Petersburg before Lee could come 
up with reinforcements. The Second Corps ad- 
vanced to the Hare House Hill and found the enemy 
intrenched about three hundred yards to the west. 
Generals Burnside and Warren were delayed for 
a long time in driving the enemy from the deep 
cut of the Norfolk Railroad. It was found impos- 
sible to combine the movements of the three corps, 
and General Birney, who was in command of the 
Second Corps owing to the disability of Hancock, 



406 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

who had now wholly succumbed to his old wounds, 
made two assaults about mid-day with Gibbon's 
division, both of which were repulsed. Late in the 
afternoon the three corps again assaulted along 
a front of more than a mile, and, though nowhere 
breaking through the line, secured positions close 
to the enemy which were fortified and held until 
the close of the war. Mott's division was at the 
Hare house, from which place his attack was made, 
during which the First Maine Heavy Artillery, 
serving as infantry, suffered a loss of over six hun- 
dred men — the largest loss of any regiment in a 
single battle during the war! No further attempt 
was made to break through the enemy's fortifica- 
tions until the spring of 1865, except at the time 
of the mine explosion, more than a month later. 
General Grant directed General Meade to place 
the troops under cover and grant them a rest which 
was greatly needed. 

Every report made by brigade, division, and 
corps commanders, relating to the operations of 
the 15th and 18th of June, called the attention of 
the commanding general to the fact that the men 
no longer possessed the spirit shown at the begin- 
ning of the campaign, and that the character and 
frequency of the battles in which they had been 
engaged had reduced the physical and moral strength 
of the army very near to what might prove a point 
of danger. Rest and recuperation were necessary 
to restore the physical and moral energies, but 
there was much gone that could not be restored. 
In General Gibbon's division, with which the Twen- 
tieth had so long been associated, three brigades 
had had seventeen different commanders between 
the 3d of May and the 31st of July, of whom three 



PETERSBURG 407 

had been killed and six wounded. During the same 
period forty regimental commanders in twenty- 
one regiments had been killed or wounded. The 
effect upon the troops of such brigade and regi- 
mental commanders as Carroll, Webb, Baxter, 
Connor, Haskell, McMahon, Macy, Abbott and 
many others can only partially be estimated, even 
by those who know what strength and confidence 
is given to any military organization when led by 
a man endowed with every qualification for com- 
mand. 

The moment General Grant gave the order to 
desist from the attempt to win Petersburg by as- 
sault, he adopted a new policy which was continued 
without change to the end. The works from the 
Appomattox to the Jerusalem Plank Road were 
ordered to be put into a state that would allow of 
their being held by a small force, thus permitting 
the withdrawal of the larger part of the army for 
operations upon the right and left of the enemy, 
especially to his right, so as to cut the roads lead- 
ing to Petersburg, or to compel him to assume the 
offensive to protect them when they should really 
be threatened. The Army of the Potomac and the 
Army of the James were now united, and, though 
with separate commanders, were acting as one force 
under the orders of the commander-in-chief. The 
Army of the James, holding a position between 
the Appomattox and the James, constituted the 
right flank, and, with only a short line of great 
strength, could from time to time furnish a movable 
column of ten thousand men for any enterprise. 

In three days the lines in front of Petersburg 
had been so strengthened by the construction of 
enclosed redoubts, connected by infantry parapets, 



408 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

withdeep ditches and abatis in front, that, on the 
21st of June, the Second Corps was moved across 
the Jerusalem Plank Road to connect at that point 
with the left of the Fifth Corps, with instructions 
to extend to the southwest as far as possible. At 
the same time the Sixth Corps, passing in rear of 
the Second, took a position on its left. On the 22d 
General Birney, temporarily in command of the 
Second Corps, was directed to swing forward his 
left, Gibbon's division, which connected with the 
Fifth Corps, remaining stationary; General Wright 
was ordered to seize the Weldon Railroad, and 
after making connection the two corps were to in- 
trench. These movements were begun through 
an unknown and closely wooded country, and the 
further they progressed the wider became the gulf 
between the two corps. Wright was moving nearly 
west toward Globe Tavern and Birney was swing- 
ing his left forward in a northerly direction. Gib- 
bon had intrenched his position, Mott was at work 
upon his, and Barlow was just coming up to the 
line, when the unprotected left was attacked by 
Mahone's and Johnson's divisions, which had worked 
their way in between the two corps. Barlow's divi- 
sion first gave way, then Mott's, the enemy coming 
down upon the front and left flank of Gibbon's 
division, sweeping the line up to the position of 
the Twentieth regiment. Major Patten, command- 
ing the regiment, correctly divining the situation 
by the sound of the steadily advancing fire, changed 
front to left and quickly threw up light intrench- 
ments and thus stopped the enemy in his victo- 
rious career and saved that part of the division to 
the right. 

Major Patten was highly commended for doing 



PETERSBURG 409 

the right thing at the right time and the regiment 
was highly commended for its steadiness and valor 
under such trying circumstances. This was the 
last conspicuous act that it was destined to per- 
form, for its numbers soon were so reduced as to 
form only a single company, and at one time there 
were only ten men to rally around its color, with a 
single non-commissioned officer in command. 

The 22d of June is looked back to by the sur- 
vivors of the Second Corps as one of the darkest 
days in its history, for, being in a position in which 
it was not able to defend itself, it was compelled 
to retreat without a battle, and lost seventeen hun- 
dred prisoners and four guns, — the only ones 
ever really taken from it by the enemy. The Fif- 
teenth Massachusetts, which had served in the 
Second Corps since its organization, was captured 
almost entire and does not again appear on its 
roster. The next day the corps moved forward 
and took up the position from which it had been 
driven and the Sixth connected upon its left. On 
the 9th of July the Sixth Corps was sent to Wash- 
ington in consequence of Early's invasion of Mary- 
land, and, on the 11th, the Second was withdrawn 
from the intrenchments and massed in rear of the 
Fifth Corps where it remained until the 26th of 
July. 

The term of service for the Twentieth expired 
on the 18th of July, and the men who had not re- 
enlisted, amounting in all to twenty-one present, 
and including the absent to about sixty, were sent 
home under Lieutenant Magnitzky to be mustered 
out of the service. The remaining men were organ- 
ized into seven companies and the remnants of 
the Fifteenth Massachusetts, present and absent. 



410 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

were transferred to the regiment, and on the rolls 
were consolidated into three companies. 

For seventeen days after the departure of the 
Sixth Corps the work of strengthening the lines 
was diligently prosecuted, as general orders com- 
manded that the hostile works should only be ap- 
proached by regular siege operations. A number 
of large mortars were placed in the various forts, 
and their ponderous shells dropping into Peters- 
burg, shook the earth like small earthquakes. The 
noise was almost deafening. One throwing a shell 
of two hundred pounds, located near the Friend 
house, was known as the "Petersburg Express." 
The severe Confederate conscription laws provided 
that every judge and clerk of a county court that 
failed in holding a session within a certain period 
should be liable to military service. When our army 
crossed the James River these officials for Prince 
George County were swept into Petersburg, and, 
in time, became liable to be forced into the army. 
The clerk discovered that on one point in the Con- 
federate line there was a bomb-proof that stood 
within the limits of the county. A notice was at 
once inserted in the proper papers that on a certain 
day a term of the court would be held in the afore- 
said bomb-proof. At the appointed day and hour 
the judge, clerk, and sheriff proceeded to the spot 
and opened the court with all the formalities usual 
to such occasions. Just as the sheriff, acting as 
crier, was calling upon all persons having busi- 
ness to come forward, and was assuring them that 
they should be heard, a two-hundred pound shell 
from the "Petersburg Express" dropped near the 
bomb-proof causing the court to leave hastily and 
without the trouble of a formal adjournment. How- 



PETERSBURG 411 

ever, this ruse sufficed to render the officials exempt 
from military service for another year. 

From June 15 to June 24 the regiment met with 
the following losses in the battles about Petersburg : — 

Company A. Killed: Private Oliver S. Bates. Wounded: 
First Sergeant George E. Tower; Privates Edwin E. Dresser^ 
Albert F. Hathaway. 

Company B. Wounded: Privates Heinrich Malder, Wilhelm 
Bettigs. 

Company C. Killed: Nathan Freindenburg. Wounded: Pri- 
vates George Fritsch, Joseph Heim. Captured: Private 
Patrick Huite. 

Company D. Wounded: Sergeant Charles J. Curtis; Corporal 
Peter Dudley; Privates Robert Hart, Charles Matthews. 

Company E. Wounded: Sergeant Cornelius Kallaher, Samuel 
Torrence. 

Company F. Killed: Sergeant John Powers; Privates John 
Cronin, William Talbirt. Wounded: Sergeant Dennis Shea; 
Privates Charles McCarthy, Levi Locke. 

Company G. Killed: Private Thomas McFaul. Wounded: 
Privates John Laurich, William Mitchell. 

Company H. Wounded : Privates William Hamburger, Robert 
McKenney, Timothy Wiley. 

Company I. Killed: Private Isaac Burgess. Wounded: Pri- 
vate William Deane. 

Company K. Killed: Sergeant John Burke; Private Henry 
Bowman. Wounded: Sergeant Orrin Day. 



CHAPTER XX 

DEEP BOTTOM, REAMS's STATION, BOYDTON ROAD 

Though it was not generally known. Colonel Plea- 
sants, of the Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania, was running 
a shaft for the purpose of blowing a mine under 
a redan in front of the Ninth Corps. The work, 
which had occupied the last part of July, was ready 
for charging on the 23d, and the 30th was fixed 
upon for its explosion. In order to draw away a 
part of the forces from the south of the Appomat- 
tox, General Hancock, who had now resumed his 
command, was ordered to make a demonstration 
on the north of the James. General Sheridan, with 
a large cavalry force, was to accompany him, and, 
in case but few troops were found to oppose, the 
object and scope of the movement was to be en- 
larged and turned into a real attack which might 
result in the capture of Richmond. Under any 
circumstances Sheridan was ordered to move north 
and destroy the two railroads upon the north side 
of the city. 

Tlie Second Corps started from camp on the 
afternoon of the 26th, crossed the river at Broad- 
way Landing, passed behind the Army of the 
James, and, at two o'clock of the 27th, began cross- 
ing the James on two pontoon bridges which had 
been laid some time previous. General Foster, of 
the Tenth Corps, protected the crossing by earth- 
works on the left bank which were held by part 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 413 

of his division. The infantry and cavalry were over 
the river before daybreak, and, as soon as it was 
light, moved forward with the purpose of turning the 
left of the force holding the right bank of Bailey's 
Creek, which runs at right angles to the James and 
flows into it at the northern end of Jones's Neck. 

It was soon discovered that Kershaw's and Wil- 
cox's divisions were confronting us. The safety 
of Richmond, as well as that of Washington, could 
not be neglected, and these two divisions had been 
for some time in their present positions unknown to 
the Federal commander. General Grant, in igno- 
rance of this fact, had thought that there was a pos- 
sibility of taking the Confederate capital by surprise, 
but General Hancock had been informed that if 
he found a strong force holding the fortifications he 
was not to assault them; therefore, in full knowledge 
of the real situation, he proceeded to accomplish 
what may be considered as the secondary object of 
the movement. 

The corps, followed by the cavalry, was advanced 
rapidly along the east side of the creek as far as the 
Newmarket Road, where a line of works protected 
by artillery and some infantry from Kershaw's divi- 
sion was discovered, which the skirmishers with 
great skill and promptness ran over, capturing some 
prisoners and four fine twenty-pound Parrott guns. 
The pursuit of the escaping forces was vigorously 
pushed as far as the creek, which was found to be 
strongly guarded. Gibbon was left to hold and 
demonstrate along the front, and Mott and Barlow 
with the cavalry pushed farther to the right in hopes 
of turning the enemy's flank in that direction. Gen- 
eral Grant came over in the afternoon and rode along 
the line, and from his observations concluded that 



414 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

nothing farther could be done. On the 28th Sheridan, 
while feeling farther to the right, had a spirited en- 
gagement in which he captured two hundred prison- 
ers and two stands of colors. General Lee became 
alarmed at the reports received, and, on the 27th, 
sent Fields's division of infantry and Fitz Hugh Lee's 
cavalry division as reenforcements. The movement 
thus accomplished one of its objects in withdrawing 
a considerable force from Petersburg. Five-eighths 
of the Confederate army was now north of the James, 
and no part of it could be returned in season to take 
part in the great struggle which was to follow the 
springing of the mine. 

On the night of the 28th, Mott's division returned 
to Petersburg, and during the evening of the 30th 
relieved the Eighteenth Corps in the intrenchments 
to act in support of the Ninth the next day. The re- 
maining divisions, with the cavalry, returned the 
following night, and reached the high ground near 
the Friend house just in season to see Elliott's salient 
lifted up one hundred feet in air and turned into a 
fountain of earth intermixed with guns, caissons, 
limbers, carriages, wheels, logs, and human beings, 
the whole surrounded by a spray of dust which the 
morning sun tinged with crimson light. The corps lost 
twenty-six killed, one hundred and nine wounded, 
and fifty-seven prisoners. The Twentieth was not 
seriously engaged, but while performing picket duty. 
Lieutenant Sedgwick and thirty-two men were cap- 
tured. 

During the 30th, while the bloody drama of the 
mine was being enacted, the Twentieth was in camp, 
and what was going on at the time was principally 
learned from what could be heard, for but little could 
be seen. The bright promise of entering Petersburg 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 415 

that day, to which the mine had opened the gate- 
way, was not realized by reason of the incompetence 
of some and the cowardice of others who were in 
charge of this important enterprise. It was a great 
disappointment, and the occasion of much chagrin. 
The numbers of the army were lessened by nearly 
four thousand, but it was in a way strengthened by 
the removal soon afterwards of several officers who 
were adjudged responsible for this lamentable fail- 
ure. 

Early in August General Sheridan was assigned 
to the command of the forces operating against 
General Early. Soon after, General Torbert's and 
General Wilson's cavalry divisions were sent to him, 
and, about the same time, Kershaw's division and 
Fitz Hugh Lee's cavalry division were sent to the aid 
of Early. 

The Twentieth remained in camp until the 12th 
of August, when it marched with the corps to City 
Point. Colonel Macy had returned, having been 
absent since his wound in the Wilderness, and was 
assigned to the command of the brigade. 

DEEP BOTTOM AGAIN 

General Grant, having been erroneously informed 
that Lee had sent one cavalry and three infantry 
divisions to Early, ordered the Second Corps to cross 
the James again at Deep Bottom under instructions 
similar to those previously given. The Tenth Corps, 
which had been commanded by General Birney 
since the 22d of July, and Gregg's cavalry, were 
placed under General Hancock's orders. 

The movement of the corps to City Point was made 
with the object of giving General Lee the impression 
that it was to be sent to Washington, and because 



416 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

it was thought advisable to transport it in steamers. 
The summer of 1864 was one of excessive heat. For 
forty-five successive days no rain had fallen and a 
tropical sun, unveiled by a single cloud, beat down 
upon the earth. Springs and streams had dried up 
and nowhere was there a green thing visible. The 
trees were loaded with a coating of dust that obscured 
their natural coloring and neutralized everything 
to a dusty brown. The clayey soil was baked into a 
hardened mass, but its surface was covered with a 
fine dust that floated in the air like a mist, and, while 
it somewhat obscured the brightness of the sun's 
rays, it made the heat more oppressive and harder 
to bear. The hot and suffocating nights took from 
sleep its usual refreshment after the hard labors of 
the day. These facts alone would have sufficed for 
the determination to send the troops by water. 

At half -past ten in the evening of the 13th the 
corps left City Point, but, owing to the difficulties 
experienced by the steamers of deep draught in 
reaching the wharves, it was nearly eight o'clock on 
the following morning before the troops were landed. 
The heat of the day was something dreadful; be- 
fore noon one hundred and five men in two regiments 
had been overcome by it. As the column moved for- 
ward it passed between rows of men lying on either 
side of the road, either dead or dying from sunstroke. 
The movement was, and could not have been other- 
wise, languid and spiritless. It was four o'clock 
in the afternoon before Barlow had got his division 
into position on the west side of Bailey's Creek 
near the Jennings house. One of his brigades showed 
such signs of demoralization that Barlow decided 
upon delivering an attack with a single brigade, 
which was gallantly led by Colonel Macy, who was 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 417 

again injured by the falling of his horse. Major 
Patten led the Twentieth with coolness and intrepid- 
ity, but its attack, like that of the brigade, was de- 
livered in a way never before seen, and was easily 
defeated. Major Patten received a mortal wound 
from which he died soon after in the hospital. 

During the night of the 14th the Tenth Corps 
was marched to Fussell's Mill on the right of Gibbon's 
division, where it remained the following day. On 
the morning of the 16th Gregg's cavalry, supported 
by Miles's brigade, was sent up the Charles City 
Road as far as Wliite's Tavern, where it had an en- 
counter with the enemy's cavalry and defeated it. 
The Confederate General Chambliss was killed in 
the fight. At ten o'clock in the forenoon Birney at- 
tacked with Terry's division, who succeeded after 
a short contest in gaining the enemy's lines and 
capturing about three hundred prisoners and three 
stands of colors. Soon after the Confederates became 
aggressive and drove Terry from his captured works, 
and compelled Gregg and Miles to fall back by suc- 
cessive stages to Deep Bottom. On the 18th the 
enemy again attacked Birney in his new position, 
and, so sharp was the firing. Miles was sent to his 
assistance with two brigades, and the enemy was 
finally repulsed. 

At eight o'clock on the evening of the 18th Mott's 
division was sent back to Petersburg on an order 
from General Grant, to take the place of the Ninth 
Corps in the intrenchments in order that the latter 
might be fi:ee to support General Warren in a move- 
ment about to be made by him against the Weldon 
Railroad. On the 20th, immediately after dark, the 
two divisions left Deep Bottom and marched back, 
by way of Point of Rocks, in a heavy rainstorm to 



418 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the Petersburg camps. The casualties of the corps 
aggregated nine hundred and fifteen in killed, 
wounded, and missing. 

REAMS'S STATION 

The men had scarcely been in camp long enough to 
make coffee when the Second and Third Divisions 
were ordered to the Strong house to finish a defen- 
sive line that had been marked out and partly con- 
structed. From the Strong house they were sent on 
to Gurley house in rear of the Fifth Corps, which 
had seized the Weldon Railroad on the 17th of August 
while Hancock was on the north of the James. The 
enemy attempted to wrest the prize from Warren 
on the 18th, and during the day he lost nine hundred 
and thirty-six men, three hundred and ninety-two 
of whom were captured. On the 19th Lee renewed 
the contest with additional forces and again failed, 
though Warren lost three hundred and eighty-two 
killed and wounded, and two thousand five hun- 
dred and eighteen prisoners. On the 21st General 
Hill, with his corps, a part of Hoke's division, and 
Lee's cavalry, made the last attempt to recover the 
road, during which he lost heavily in killed and 
wounded and left five hundred and seventeen pri- 
soners and six flags in Warren's hands. This day 
the loss of the Fifth Corps was only three hundred 
and one, while that of the enemy was estimated at 
about two thousand. 

It was this determined and persistent effort on the 
part of Lee to regain the lost artery for supplies that 
justified the sending of the wearied Second Corps 
to the Gurley house. As Warren had proved him- 
self strong enough to hold his position, and connec- 
tion had been made with the main line, Hancock 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 419 

was ordered on the 22d to destroy the Weldon Rail- 
road as far south as Rowanty Creek, which would 
compel a haul by wagons of thirty miles of any sup- 
plies that might be sent over it. On the 24th the road 
had been completely wrecked for a distance of six 
miles. On this day the Twentieth marched with the 
Second Division to Reams's Station, and during the 
night the corps occupied some works that had been 
thrown up some weeks previously during Wilson's 
cavalry iSght at that point. 

A rifle-pit, seven hundred yards in length, had 
been constructed just west of the railroad track with 
returns at either end about a thousand yards in length, 
nearly parallel with each other. The works were in 
the shape of a parallelogram open at the east end, 
the side lines of which were so near to each other 
that artillery used in an attack upon them would 
render the opposite side untenable. The ground to 
the west was mostly clear, while from the north and 
south the wood in many places came quite up to the 
rifle-pits. 

During the night of the 24th General Hancock 
received a despatch from General Meade informing 
him that large bodies of infantry had been seen pass- 
ing south from Petersburg by the Halifax and Vaughan 
roads, probably destined to operate against Warren 
or himself, and in reply to his inquiry the number 
was stated to be eight or ten thousand. 

General Hancock was not one to let such an ad- 
monition pass unnoticed, and, at daylight of the 25th, 
he directed Gregg to make a reconnoissance at once; 
and later ordered out his whole force supported by a 
brigade of infantry. The first squadron sent out re- 
ported that it had driven in the enemy's pickets but 
had not discovered any increase in the force on our 



420 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

front. In consequence of this report Hancock de- 
cided to continue the work of destroying the road, 
but Gibbon's division had only got out of the works 
when some of the cavalry were driven in and Gibbon 
was obliged to deploy a part of his troops to stop the 
pursuing enemy. Gibbon was then directed to place 
the men in the rifle-pits which formed the left of 
the line. 

Before noon the telegraph was in operation be- 
tween Reams's Station and Warren's headquarters 
where General Meade then was. Having learned 
of the attack made in the morning, he sent Hancock 
a despatch, informing him that Mott with all his 
available force was marching to his support, and ex- 
pressing his opinion that the enemy would either 
attack him or attempt to intervene between his po- 
sition and that of Warren. It was his belief, also, 
that under the circumstances Hancock would not 
be able to do much more damage to the road and 
left the decision with him whether to withdraw or 
remain. 

At this time the forces in front of the station were 
Lane's, Scales's, and McGowan's brigades of Wil- 
cox's division; G. T. Anderson's brigade of Field's 
division; and two divisions of cavalry under General 
Wade Hampton — all under A. P. Hill, who, how- 
ever, was sick and had given the command to General 
Wilcox. Hampton was sent to turn the left of Han- 
cock's position and with him went McGowan's brigade. 
The other three brigades were formed to attack the 
northwest angle just beyond the railroad embank- 
ment. As this force advanced on to the open ground, 
it was met by a heavy fire from the troops in and 
near the angle and from two batteries behind that 
part of the line. In the first attack the Confederates 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 421 

were repulsed with considerable loss, but sorae of 
the men came within a few yards of the rifle-pits. 
Some prisoners were taken by skirmishers thrown 
forward after this repulse. Colonel James A. Beaver, 
commanding a brigade in the First Division, was 
seriously wounded, having returned only a few mo- 
ments before from absence caused by a wound re- 
ceived on the 16th of June. 

General Hancock sent a dispatch to Meade at 
2.45 p. M., stating that, being engaged, he could not 
safely retire at that time and advising that he should 
be withdrawn at night if he were not driven out be- 
fore. About 3 p .M. General Heth arrived with two 
brigades and eight guns, closely followed by the 
brigades of Saunders and Weisinger, and to him was 
entrusted the arrangement for what proved to be the 
final attack. 

General Heth selected the northwest angle for 
his point of attack, and formed the brigades of Cooke, 
McRae, Lane, and Scales into a strong column, with 
Anderson's and three regiments of McGowan's in 
support. Before the order to advance was given, a 
terrific fire of artillery was opened on that part of 
the line upon which the assault was to be made. At 
5.40 the artillery ceased firing and the infantry began 
to move, slowly and with some diflficulty at first, for 
they had to pass through some slashings under a 
severe fire, but, pressing on, they soon leaped over 
our slight breastworks and the victory was won. It 
is true that the troops were in a bad position, and they 
were perfectly conscious of it, but it is admitted that 
they behaved with little of that gallantry and showed 
none of that stubbornness in holding on that were 
their characteristics in the early days. The Twen- 
tieth, Captain Spencer commanding, was stationed 



422 THE TWENTIETH IVIASSACHUSETTS 

behind the railroad embanknient near the southwest 
angle and was taken in the rear as the enemy burst 
over the works, and only one non-commissioned offi- 
cer and ten men escaped capture. The number of 
killed and wounded will never be known. 

^Vliile the cannonade and assault was taking place, 
a part of Gibbon's division was facing south, with its 
back to the enemy and the enemy's fire. A good 
part of it leaped over the works and faced to the 
north, where it still received a fire from Hampton's 
cavalry and some of McGowan's infantry from the 
south, and from the north the fire of Heth's men. 
No matter which way it turned it could not help 
being shot in the back. The position would have 
been trying under any circumstances, but here it 
became demoralizing. Every effort was made to form 
a new line, and every effort failed. The cavalry on 
the extreme left held firm and threw off several at- 
tempts to get round them. Between the lines all 
was confusion. It was the worst plight to which the 
corps had ever been reduced. It was defeat accom- 
panied by disorder and the temporary breaking up 
of all organization. A few men were here and there 
left together, and finally a line was formed about 
three hundred yards from the railroad and parallel 
to it, but such was the demoralization everywhere 
apparent that all thought of an attempt to retrieve 
the disaster was abandoned, and a retreat in the best 
order possible was settled upon. General Hancock 
was so overcome by the sight of the scattered frag- 
ments of his once proud and powerful corps that he 
placed his hand on the shoulder of one of his staff 
officers and said to him, "I pray God I may never 
leave this field!" 

The enemy showed little disposition to follow up 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 423 

their victory and soon returned to Petersburg. There 
was no molestation to the troops in their retreat 
which began after dark, but to many the thought of 
Reams's Station brought more anguish than wounds 
from a pursuing enemy during that sad night march 
back to Petersburg. 

Soon after the return from Reams's Station, Gen- 
eral Grant ordered the construction of a very elabo- 
rate line of works for the defense of his left rear, 
and for some weeks the few remaining men of the 
Twentieth were engaged in building them. Captain 
Magnitzky returned on the 12th of September, and 
as ranking officer assumed command. He at once 
consolidated the remnants of the several companies 
into one, and, later, on the return of twenty-five con- 
valescents, he formed the whole into three companies. 
From the 16th of September to the 24th of October 
we occupied Fort Hell, Fort Marston, Fort Rice, 
and Batteries No. Eleven and Twelve. These posi- 
tions were more or less subject to artillery and mortar 
fire by which three men were killed and eleven wounded. 
During the next three days we were in the rear with- 
out any specific duty. 

BOYDTON ROAD 

In pursuance of the general plan adopted in June 
of extending our lines to the right and left. General 
Ord, who had succeeded Smith in the command of 
the Eighteenth Corps, crossed the James during the 
night of the 29th of September, with two divisions, 
and before nine o'clock in the morning carried by 
assault the enemy's lines across Chaffin's farm, in- 
cluding Fort Harrison. At the same time General 
Birney took Newmarket Heights. General Birney 
moved to the left and made connection with the Eight- 



424 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

eenth Corps, and the lines thus gained were held 
until the close of the war. On the 30th, General Lee 
having brought over reenforcements from Peters- 
burg until his whole force concentrated near Fort 
Gilmer amounted to ten brigades, endeavored to 
retake Fort Harrison by repeated assaults. In this 
he was defeated after a loss of nearly two thousand 
men. The Union loss in storming and defending 
the position on the two days was about the same. 

On the 30th of September, General Warren, with 
the Fifth Corps, and General Parke, who had replaced 
Burnside, with the Ninth Corps captured the in- 
trenchments at Peebles's farm, which resulted in the 
extension of the line about two miles further to the 
left. Both corps were at times smartly engaged, with 
a total loss of about two thousand. 

The army was now permitted to rest from active 
operations until the 26th of October, during which 
time the Second Corps was considerably strength- 
ened by the receipt of recruits and the return of 
convalescents, and its tone had also improved since 
the day of Reams's Station. Before the winter one 
more movement to the north of the James and 
another to the west of Petersburg were to be made, 
the object of each being to strike either flank of 
the Confederate army. The objective General 
Meade was to seek was the Southside Railroad, 
and all the available strength of his army was to 
be joined in the enterprise. On the afternoon of 
the 26th of October, Mott's division and Gibbon's, 
temporarily commanded by General Egan, moved 
along the rear of our intrenchments and encamped 
for the night on the Weldon Railroad. At half 
past three on the next morning General Egan started 
his column, closely followed by Mott, and, though 




REPERENCE 

O U t> roRCES 
BBBS* R e BEL. 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 425 

opposed by a skirmish line and delayed by obstruc- 
tions placed upon the road, with the loss of about 
fifty men reached the Boydton Road just as a Con- 
federate wagon train was crossing the bridge at 
Burgess's Mill. Some artillery on a hill near Bur- 
gess Tavern, and other guns to the left near the 
White Oak Road, opened fire, and were silenced 
by Beck's United States battery. General Egan 
had nearly reached the bridge over Hatcher's Run 
when General Meade sent an order for Hancock 
to halt on the road, and soon after joined him with 
General Grant. 

The day was rainy and the other corps had not 
yet completed movements which were necessary 
for the safe advance of the Second Corps. General 
Parke was to advance to the front of the Confed- 
erate line, the right of which rested on the north 
side of Hatcher's Run, and hold the forces in their 
intrenchments while the turning movements were 
being carried 'forward by the Second and Fifth 
Corps. The country through which the troops 
were passing was heavily wooded with thick un- 
derbrush and was almost unknown. General Meade 
at this time informed General Hancock that the 
original plan of striking for the Southside Rail- 
road was abandoned on account of the time already 
consumed, being practicable only in case it could 
be reached, or a position near it, on the 27th; and 
that Crawford's division only of the Fifth Corps was 
on the south side of the run and was then mov- 
ing through the woods on the east of the Boydton 
Road, with which he was to make connection with 
his right when it should come up to an alignment 
with him. The meaning of the substituted plan 
was, that if Hancock and Crawford could reach 



426 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the right of Lee's line and force the troops to abandon 
it, Parke and Warren would then be in position 
to move straight forward and occupy it, which 
would concentrate all the Federal forces for such 
further operations as the situation would then war- 
rant. Having communicated with Crawford through 
Major Bingham, Hancock received from him a mes- 
sage to the effect that he expected to reach a point 
indicated upon the map very soon, and would from 
there extend his left until it reached the Second Corps. 

The enemy continuing to show considerable ac- 
tivity upon the Boydton Road, Egan was directed 
to drive him across Hatchet's Run, which was 
done by a charge of Smythe's brigade. The Second 
Division was in line parallel with the run and near 
it, Willett's brigade upon the right, Smythe's in 
the centre, and Rugg's on the left. The enemy were 
still on the White Oak Road to the left, and soon 
a cavalry force reached the Plank Road in the rear, 
so that the corps was subject to a fire from three 
directions — from the front, left, and rear. The 
artillery on the north of the stream and the guns 
on the White Oak Road were served with accuracy 
and vigor causing considerable loss. At this time 
General Grant, accompanied by Colonel Babcock, 
rode to within a few yards of the bridge, exposed 
to the fire of sharp-shooters and two batteries, and 
from a personal examination of the stream, the 
Confederate line, and the character of the country, 
he decided at once that the movement should be 
abandoned and gave directions that the position 
should be held until morning when the troops were 
to be withdrawn. 

As he was to remain during the day and night. 
General Hancock directed Egan to seize and hold 
the high ground beyond the run, and as firing had 



DEEP BOTTOM, ETC. 427 

been heard on the right, which was supposed to 
come from Crawford's advance, he sent General 
Pierce with two regiments into the woods in direc- 
tion of the firing to discover its meaning. The 
Ninety-third New York was soon after sent to rein- 
force Pierce, and the First United States Sharp- 
shooters were sent to the right and rear to connect 
with Crawford. 

General Heth crossed the run with about five 
thousand men in the afternoon, and following an 
old wood road passed in between Crawford and 
Hancock and burst out on his right without a warn- 
ing of any kind. Pierce's three regiments were 
instantly swept away, and in a few moments the 
right of the Confederate line was established on 
the Plank Road, and, facing to the south, at once 
opened fire. For a time the situation looked as 
threatening as that at Reams's Station after the 
angle had been stormed, but a different spirit per- 
vaded the Second Corps. Unwittingly Heth had 
established his force between Mott on the south 
and Egan on the north. While the firing was going 
on between Heth and Mott, Egan quickly faced 
his division to the rear and struck the astonished 
Confederates at a charge, scattering and putting them 
to flight before they were fully aware whence this 
storm cloud had come. As the troops were nearly out 
of ammunition and General Gregg reported that the 
cavalry had only a few rounds left, it was decided 
to withdraw during the night, and the two divi- 
sions commenced to retire about ten o'clock, reach- 
ing the old camp the next day. The loss to the 
corps was nearly eighteen hundred men, about 
the same as that of the Confederates. The conduct 
of General Egan was rewarded with the brevet 
rank of a Major-General. 



CHAPTER XXI 

THE LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 

Returning from the Boydton Road the Twentieth 
went into Battery No. 11 as a support to the guns. 
On the 31st of October Captain A. B. Holmes re- 
turned and assumed command. Captain Kelliher 
reported for duty on November 25th, having been 
absent since June on account of the very serious 
wounds received in battle, but was unable to con- 
tinue and was honorably discharged on the 5th of 
December. While in Battery No. 11, three men 
were killed and seven wounded. 

On the 3d of November the regiment marched 
ten miles to the left, where, after making several 
changes in the location of its camp, it settled down 
for the winter near Fort Emory and commenced 
building log houses. There were then present eight 
oflScers and one hundred and twenty-five men. 
November 10th, First Lieutenant Edward B. Rob- 
ins joined and was detailed as Adjutant. Subse- 
quently he was appointed on the staff of General 
Macy at headquarters of the army. 

The line of breastworks extended from the Appo- 
mattox to near Hatcher's Run, and the Second 
Corps held the extreme left. From the Appomattox 
the army of the James extended across the Bermuda 
front, and north of the James held a line running 
from the river across Chaffin's farm and then turn- 
ing south until the right rested on the James near 



LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 429 

Deep Bottom. It was forty miles in extent without 
a break in the fortifications, except where the two 
rivers flowed through them. Parallel with these, 
and at a distance of from one hundred yards to a 
mile, ran the Confederate lines, which were of much 
the same character as ours, though generally stronger, 
with many traverses and protected along the front 
in many places by double lines of abatis, with a 
f raise between them. North of the James the ground 
between the abatis was planted in places with tor- 
pedoes. The picket line in front was carefully in- 
trenched, and, all that skill and labor could accom- 
plish was done to make their position safe from 
attack. 

The winter was a very severe one. The first 
snow fell on the 3d of December, and on the 10th, 
29th, and 31st of the month the fall was from two 
to four inches. There were but few pleasant days 
and storms of rain and sleet were frequent. The 
ground was seldom in condition for drilling and 
there was a long season of enforced idleness. 

The campaign being over for the present, there 
was time to balance up the accounts for the year, 
which was done in soldier fashion, and the result 
was, if not all that could be wished, of a character 
to enable every one to see that the end of the war 
was near at hand. The newspapers now arrived 
regularly at camp and every log hut had one or 
more each day, ■ — with leisure enough to read 
them. A regular exchange between the Confeder- 
ate pickets and our own was resumed, and, by 
reading the situation as depicted by the papers 
on either side, a pretty correct judgment of it could 
be formed. And not only in this way; for deserters, 
in greater numbers than ever before known, began 



430 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

to come in almost nightly, and from their appear- 
ance, and the stories of suffering from want of food 
and clothing which they told, it was apparent that 
the Confederacy was tottering to its fall. Almost 
every day brought news that made the sky look 
brighter to us and more cloudy to the enemy. The 
destruction of Hood's army at Nashville by Thomas 
was celebrated by firing a hundred shotted guns 
from the forts, and, when word came that Sher- 
man had burst through to the sea at Savannah, 
the men were wild with delight. The capture of 
Fort Fisher, with the fall of Charleston following 
closely after, gave such additional evidence of wan- 
ing power that the men began to forecast the day 
when their services would no longer be required. 
Then came the return of the Sixth Corps and these 
oft-tried troops, who had finished their work in 
the Valley so thoroughly that Northern raids were 
no longer to be thought of, were welcomed back 
with the cordiality and enthusiasm known only 
to soldiers. When Sheridan and his ten thousand 
horsemen were again on the left flank of the army 
the cup of satisfaction was full. The revival of the 
military spirit, which for a while was low indeed, 
was almost magical. The veterans again lifted 
themselves to their full height, and such was the 
confidence and determination displayed by them 
that conscripts and hirelings were animated by it 
and the Army of the Potomac was itself again. 

It having been reported that the enemy was 
hauling supplies from North Carolina over the 
Boydton Road with long wagon trains, General 
Gregg was ordered out to intercept them. The 
Fifth Corps was sent half way to Dinwiddie Court 
House, to be near for support in case of need. On 



LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 431 

the 5tli of February the Twentieth moved with 
the Second Corps across Hatcher's Run and ad- 
vanced far enough to connect on the right of the 
Fifth. General Warren had a sharp conflict with 
forces sent against him, in which he lost 1165 killed 
and wounded and 154 prisoners. The enemy's 
losses were equally heavy, and General Pegram, 
a very brilliant Confederate officer, was killed. 
The Second Corps was only slightly engaged, los- 
ing 138. The Twentieth lost 1 killed, 6 wounded, 
and 5 missing. This movement resulted in the ex- 
tension of our lines to Hatcher's Run at the point 
where the Vaughan Road crossed it. 

At the approach of spring. General Grant's chief 
anxiety was lest General Lee should withdraw his 
army from Petersburg before he was ready to strike 
at it. That Lee would not be able to withstand an 
attack, even behind his strong intrench ments, was 
the universal belief. This, too, was the view of 
the Confederate leader himself. He had repre- 
sented his insecure situation to Mr. Davis with all 
frankness and had advised the latter to make terms 
with the Federal Government at a time when he 
had an unbroken army at his command; but Mr. 
Davis would not entertain the thought. He was 
not entirely blind to the dangers that were threat- 
ening on every side, but, like others at the head 
of a revolution in dire distress, while not unmind- 
ful of the general interest, he could not entirely 
separate his own from it. He had been one of the 
foremost in bringing on the conflict and to ask for 
terms of peace would be a confession that he had 
misled his people into a war which had brought 
them to ruin, and the future presented nothing 
brighter to him than the prospect of passing the 



432 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

remainder of his life amidst the desolation and 
misery that his leadership had caused. Looking 
through history for situations parallel to his own for 
guidance, he unhappily fell upon that of Kossuth, 
the Hungarian patriot, whom he thought to have 
suffered in the estimation of mankind for having 
left his country when there were still thirty thousand 
men in arms to defend his cause, and he resolved 
that it should not be said of him that he consented 
to drop the Confederate flag as long as he could 
find any one to uphold it. He agreed with General 
Lee that it was necessary to abandon the Confed- 
erate capital and that the evacuation should be com- 
menced as soon as the roads were in condition to 
render the withdrawal of the army practicable. 

Before such a movement could be commenced 
it was necessary to establish depots of provisions 
along the projected route of retreat, and, while 
preparations were going on to enable him to slip 
away. General Lee resolved upon making one 
desperate attempt to throw the Federal army back 
far enough to make his retreat easy and practica- 
ble. With this in view, he summoned General Gor- 
don to headquarters, and, after making known 
to him the real situation in which they were placed, 
requested him to take time to make a careful ex- 
amination of the Union lines and select the place 
that appeared to him the most feasible to assault. 
This General Gordon did, and informed Lee that 
Fort Stedman was the point he proposed to attack, 
and gave the details of his intentions. General 
Lee gave his approval and placed one half the army 
under Gordon's command to carry ^out the plan. 

Before daylight on the morning of the 25th of 
March Gordon got possession of Fort Stedman, and 



LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 433 

captured parts of the line on the right and left of it ; 
but he soon learned the difference between assaulting 
and defending a fortified position. The men of the 
Ninth Corps quickly learned of what had taken place, 
and came hurrying from the right and left and 
formed a line about the captured fort. When day- 
light was near they rushed with the bayonet upon 
the enemy and drove the Confederates back to 
their own lines. Gordon lost 2681 men including 
many prisoners. The Ninth Corps lost 75 killed 
and 419 wounded. 

President Lincoln was at this time visiting Gen- 
eral Grant at City Point, and, when news of the 
assault was received, they rode to the front, and 
from the high ground by the Dunn House witnessed 
the onward rush of Hartranft's division up the hill 
and into the fort. A review had been planned for 
the President to take place on the 25th, but he de- 
clared that he had seen something better than a 
dozen reviews. 

When Humphreys and Wright, many miles away, 
heard the noise of battle on their right, each at once 
divined what it meant, and, putting the troops 
under arms, made an assault upon the enemy's 
intrenched picket line, capturing it with 905 pris- 
oners. Lee lost 4000 men on the 25th, and Meade 
less than half as many. Some reenforcements were 
sent to the aid of the Ninth Corps by General Hum- 
phreys, and the Twentieth marched near to Fort 
Stedman, but the action was over before it got 
far and all were in camp again by evening. 

General Grant's anxiety lest General Lee should 
escape would not permit a long delay, and, in ac- 
cordance with orders previously received. General 
Ord, who had succeeded Butler in command of 



434 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

the Army of the James, withdrew three infantry 
divisions from the lines, and at dark on the even- 
ing of the 27th, with McKenzie's cavahy, began a 
march of thirty-six miles, which was so well con- 
ducted that without the knowledge of the enemy 
the whole force was south of Petersburg on the 
evening of the 28th, and before morning the Sec- 
ond Corps had been relieved by a part of it. It was 
not until April 2 that information of Ord's move- 
ment was gained by the enemy. When the Army 
of the James was well on its way. General Grant 
sent his order to Sheridan to enter upon the last 
phase of the campaign which had commenced on 
the 3d of May, 1864, and move his cavalry at an 
early hour on the morning of the 29th by way of 
Dinwiddie Court House, and strike the flank of the 
Confederate Army. Humphreys, who had succeeded 
Hancock in command of the Second Corps, at the 
same hour crossed Hatcher's Run on the Vaughan 
Road and turned to the north With his right resting 
on the run. Warren crossed three miles lower down 
and then turned to the north and came up into 
position on the left of the Second Corps. When 
the two corps were united, and commenced mov- 
ing toward the enemy, Warren struck a part of 
Anderson's division on the Quaker Road and drove 
it back, taking two hundred prisoners near the 
steam mill. The enemy, leaving his killed and 
wounded, made a hasty retreat behind the intrench- 
ments on the White Oak Road. Tlie Second Corps 
kept in line with the Fifth as the two advanced, 
and by night had accomplished all that was ex- 
pected during the first day's operations. The Fifth 
Corps lost 367 killed and wounded, but the Second, 
meeting with only a trifling opposition, met with no 



LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 435 

loss. Sheridan was at Dinwiddie Court House, with 
one division under Devin's very near Five Forks. 

General Lee soon perceived that the campaign 
had commenced, and, to meet the movements under 
way, ordered General Pickett with his own and 
Johnson's division to take possession of Five Forks, 
and placed Fitz Hugh Lee's cavalry under his 
command. Pickett, with about twelve thousand 
fighting men, was now some five or six miles west 
and south from the main Confederate lines and 
charged with the duty of protecting the right flank 
from being turned. 

It rained furiously during the night of the 29th, 
and throughout the 30th. The roads were rendered 
impass'eble, and orders were sent for the troops to 
hold their positions on the 31st and make no for- 
ward movement. General Warren, however, made 
a reconnoissance towards the White Oak Road 
and was attacked vigorously and driven back to 
the position held in the morning. General Hum- 
phreys sent Miles with two brigades in the direc- 
tion from which the sound of the firing came; he 
struck the enemy on the left, captured over three 
hundred prisoners, and drove them back to their 
intrenchments. General Mott made an unsuccess- 
ful attempt to carry the intrenchments covering 
the crossing of Hatcher's Run on the Boydton Road, 
and General Hays failed at the same time to storm 
the redoubt at the Crow house. General Warren 
lost 1406 and General Humphreys 374 during the 
day. 

There was much fighting on the 31st between 
Sheridan and Pickett's forces, and, at night, Sheri- 
dan had been driven back to Dinwiddie Court 
House and held a line just in front of it. Fearing 



436 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

that the cavalry would not be able to hold its posi- 
tion, Warren was ordered during the night to send 
a division to Sheridan, and later his corps was 
placed under Sheridan's command. 

Pickett, having withdrawn during the night and 
taken up a fortified line about Five Forks, Sheri- 
dan advanced his cavalry and with the Fifth Corps 
gained on the 1st of April the battle of Five Forks, 
which resulted in the capture of over two thousand 
prisoners and the throwing of the whole of Pick- 
ett's disorganized and shattered battalions off to 
the west and separating them from the rest of Lee's 
army. At daylight on the 2d of April Ord, Wright, 
and Park broke through the enemy's main defenses 
around Petersburg, which resulted in the retreat 
of the Confederate Army. At daylight on the third, 
Petersburg was occupied, and soon after the news 
came that General Charles Devens's division was 
in possession of the Confederate capital. Every 
one now saw how the great campaign had pro- 
gressed, slowly it is true, but surely, step by step, 
until at length the goal was about to be reached. 
During the second the left wing of the army had 
reached the Appomattox near Sutherland Station 
and there was only one avenue for Lee to follow. 
He was obliged to pass over the bridges that enter 
Petersburg, and the night was not long enough 
for all his forces and the vast trains of such an army 
to reach the northern banks of the Appomattox. 
When General Grant entered the city he saw thou- 
sands crowding the streets near the bridges, and, 
such was their hopeless and helpless situation, that 
he would not permit the artillery already in position 
to open fire upon them. 

Instead of making a direct pursuit of the fleeing 



LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 437 

enemy, General Grant, with a correct judgment, 
ordered the various corps to follow the south bank 
of the river with the view of getting in front of the 
Confederate Army and compelling its surrender. 
Instructions were sent to Meade and Sheridan to 
press forward along the Danville Railroad in hope 
of heading Lee off at Amelia Court House, toward 
which place Grant felt sure the Confederate Army 
was marching. Though some of the troops were out 
of rations, such was the enthusiasm and eager- 
ness of the men for pursuit, that hunger was un- 
thought of and on they went, trusting to sustain 
life by foraging, in case the supply trains could 
not overtake them. The Fifth Corps was at Suther- 
land Station, ten miles west of Petersburg, and the 
cavalry far beyond in pursuit of the remnants of 
Pickett's command. Lee was at first obliged to 
move nearly ten miles north to Chesterfield Court 
House to meet the troops from the Bermuda front 
and those coming from the north bank of the James, 
from which place he turned to the left and took 
the roads leading to Amelia Court House, where 
he expected to receive the supplies that he had 
ordered there. Upon his arrival on the morning 
of the fourth, it was learned that the train loaded 
with rations had been ordered to Richmond, and 
he was obliged to remain until the evening of the 
fifth for the purpose of sending out foraging parties 
through the country for food. On the morning of 
the fifth the cavalry ran into a wagon train near 
Paine's cross-roads, destroyed one hundred and 
eighty wagons and captured five pieces of artillery 
and some prisoners. 

The Army of the Potomac was concentrated at 
Jetersville, seven miles southwest of the court 



438 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

house, and, on the morning of the sixth, marched 
forward towards Amelia Court House in expecta- 
tion of attacking the enemy at or near that place. 
Lee, having heard that Meade was planted across 
his path at Jetersville, set out on the night of the 
fifth by more northerly routes, with the hope of reach- 
ing Farmville, and, after crossing the Appomattox, 
of pushing on to Lynchburg, destroying the bridges 
behind him. On the morning of the sixth Ord was 
directed to move from Burkesville Junction to 
Farmville, and, after the discovery of the escape 
of Lee, Meade was ordered to follow directly in 
his rear, — the Fifth Corps on the right, the Second 
in the centre, and the Sixth upon the left. Lee's 
straggling columns were now being closely pressed 
from every direction and a running fight was kept 
up all the way. The cavalry was following along 
the left flank of the enemy, impeding his progress, 
with a sharp outlook for the trains, into which they 
dashed just south of Sailor's Creek, destroying four 
hundred wagons, capturing twelve guns, and tak- 
ing many prisoners. At the same time the Second 
Corps was so close upon Gordon's column that 
he was obliged to make a stand near Perkinson's 
Mills, where he was routed with a loss of thirteen 
flags, four guns, and seventeen hundred prisoners. 
The Sixth Corps to the left attacked Ewell and 
Anderson on the north side of Sailor's Creek, and, 
with the assistance of the cavalry, captured Ewell 
with his entire corps, except two hundred and fifty 
men of Kershaw's division, and about half of Ander- 
son's command. The total loss of the enemy on 
the sixth was ten thousand men. The killed and 
wounded of the Second Corps amounted to 311, 
and of the Sixth Corps 442. 



LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 439 

During the night the Confederate Army crossed 
the Appomattox, moved on to Farmville, where it 
procured rations, and again took up its march to 
Appomattox Station. While halting upon the 
north side of the river a conference of all the chief 
officers, except General Lee, was held, at which 
the situation was discussed and the conclusion 
formed that the time had come for the surrender 
of the Army of Northern Virginia. General Pendle- 
ton was selected to inform General Lee of the result 
of the conference. General Longstreet was present 
and simply said that if General Lee did not know 
when to give up the contest he would never learn 
it from him, and walked away. General Lee ex- 
pressed no opinion of this extraordinary council, 
except to say that he did not think that he was as 
yet reduced to such an extremity. 

The Second Corps resumed the pursuit at half 
past five on the morning of the seventh, and got up 
just in season to save the bridge over the Appomattox. 
It was the handsome work of the Second and Sixth 
Corps at Sailor's Creek that enabled Sheridan and 
Ord, with the cavalry, the Fifth Corps, and the 
Army of the James, to bring Lee to a final halt at 
Appomattox Court House. At the same hour the 
following day the corps was on the march and did 
not halt, except for short rests, until evening. The 
correspondence between Grant and Lee, which 
commenced on the seventh, passed through the Second 
Corps, and General Charles A. Whittier, of Hum- 
phreys' staff, one of the original officers of the Twen- 
tieth, was the bearer of all the letters, except two, 
that passed between them. 

At half past ten on the morning of the ninth 
General Humphreys came up against Longstreet's 



440 THE TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS 

corps, when he received a verbal message from 
General Lee requesting him not to press forward, 
as negotiations for a surrender were going on; but, 
without authority from his superior officers, he 
did not feel justified in complying and so informed 
General Lee. The troops were drawn up in line 
ready to attack, when General Meade came up 
and granted an hour's truce. This truce was never 
broken. The last gun had been fired between the 
men of the Second Corps and the men of the Army 
of Northern Virginia. At half past four in the after- 
noon official notice was given to the Army of the 
Potomac that its great opponent had surrendered. 
Preparations were being made to celebrate the 
event by firing a salute of one hundred guns, when 
General Grant, dropping the role of soldier to as- 
sume that of a statesman, immediately prohibited 
it. He did not wish that the brave men who were 
again to become our fellow citizens should carry 
away from Appomattox the memory of shouts of 
triumph over the fall of such peerless valor. 

This is, doubtless, the only instance in the history 
of war where one large army pursuing another large 
army has succeeded in getting in front and compel- 
ling it to surrender. 

From the 1st of April until the 9th the losses of 
the army had been 9942, and in the vSecond Corps 
there were 1394 killed and wounded and 630 miss- 
ing. 

The Twentieth returned to Burkesville Junc- 
tion on the 19th of April. At this place. Captain 
Spencer and First Lieutenants Pease, Post, and 
Shea, discharged prisoners, returned and were put 
on duty. By easy stages the Twentieth resumed 
its homeward march. At Richmond, all troops 



LAST WINTER AND APPOMATTOX 441 

on duty there turned out to receive the army as it 
marched through. The route took us past Libby 
Prison, Castle Thunder and Capitol Square, where 
General Halleck, then in command of the Depart- 
ment of Virginia, had his reviewing stand. Our 
line of march took us again through Fredericks- 
burg, which we had twice seen before under less 
pleasing auspices, and on the 13th of May we went 
into camp near Washington. The 23d was the day of 
the Grand Review. On the 28th, Surgeon McGregor 
reported and was mustered. On the 29th Lieutenant- 
Colonel Curtis resigned and went home. On June 
23d, five officers and two hundred and eighteen 
men joined by transfer from the Thirty-Seventh 
Massachusetts, and Lieutenant-Colonel Lincoln of 
this regiment, being the senior officer, assumed com- 
mand. The Twentieth left Washington on July 17, 
and arrived at Readville in Massachusetts on the 
20th, with seventeen officers and three hundred and 
eighty men. On the 28th of July, having been 
paid, the Twentieth was mustered out, having been 
in the service four years and ten days, in which 
time eighteen commissioned officers were killed and 
thirty-seven wounded, two hundred and sixty-nine 
enlisted men were killed and six hundred and forty- 
one wounded. The number lost as prisoners was 
two hundred and forty-two. The above figures are 
taken from the official returns, but as the regimental 
books were lost in 1864 and several reports are 
missing, it is certain that many more names should 
be added. There were nearly two thousand Union 
regiments, and among the five that suffered the 
heaviest losses in battle during the Civil War is en- 
rolled the name of the Twentieth Massachusetts. 



ROSTER 



ROSTER 



ROSTER 

Key to Abbreviations. M.=Mustered out; D.=Discharged; D. f. d.= 
Discharged for disability; D. ex. t.=Discharged at expiration of term of ser- 
vice; Dism.=Dismissed; R.= Resigned; Pr. = Promoted ; D. o. w.=Died of 
wounds; K.=Killed; Tr.=TransfeiTed. 



COMMISSIONED 


OFFICERS 




NAME AND BANE 




TOWN CRED- 
ITED TO 


COMMIS- 
SIONED 


TERMINATION OP 
SERVICE 


Colonels 










William R. Lee 
Francis W. Palfrey 
Paul J. Revere 
George N. Macy 


54 
30 


Roxbury 
Boston 
Boston 
Nantucket 


July 1, '61 
Dec. 18, '62 
April 14, '63 
July 5, '63 


R. Dec. 17, '62 
D. f . d. April 13, '63 
D. o. w. July 5, '63 
M. July 16, '65 


Lievi.-Colonels 










Francis W. Palfrey 
Ferdinand Dreher 
George N. Macy 
Arthur R. Curtis 




Boston 
Boston 
Nantucket 
Boston 


July 1, '61 
Dec. 18, '62 
May 1, '63 
June 20, '64 


Pr. Col. Dec. 18, '62 
D. o. w. May 1, '63 
Pr. Col. July 5, '63 
R. May 29, '65 


Majors 
Paul J. Revere 


28 


Boston 


July 1, '61 


Pr.Lt.-Col.Apr.l4, 

'63 
Pr. Lt.-Col. Dec. 

18, '62 
Pr. Lt.-Col. May 1, 

'63 


Ferdinand Dreher 
Greorge N. Macy 




Boston 
Nantucket 


Sept. 5, '62 
Dec. 18, '62 


Allen Shepard 

Henry L. Abbott 
Arthur R. Curtis 

Henry L. Patten 
John Kelliher 




Boston 

Lowell 
Boston 

Cambridge 
Bridgewater 


May 1, '63 

May 1, '63 
May 7, '64 

June 20, '64 
Dec. 3, '64 


Tr. to V. R. C. 

Aug. 30, '63 
K. May 6, '64 
Pr. Lt.-Col. June 

20, '64 
D.o.w.Sept.10,'64 
M. July 16, '65 


Surgeons 
Henry Bryant 

Nathan Hayward 
Frederick W. Mercer 
Murdock McGregor 


41 

26 
36 


Boston 

Roxbury 

Boston 

Boston 


July 1, '61 

Sept. 10, '61 
Dec. 16, '64 
May 26, '65 


Pr. Brigade Sur- 
geon, Sept. 19, '61 
D. ex. t. Sept. 10, '64 
R. April 14, '65 
M. July 16, '65. 


Asst. Surgeons 
Nathan Hayward 
Edward H. R. Revere 
Benjamin F. Taft 


31 


Roxbury 

Boston 

Blackstone 


July 1, '61 
Sept. 10, '61 
Aug. 22, '62 


Pr. Sur. Sept. 10, '61 
K. Sept. 17, '62 
Tr. to 19th Mass. 
Jan. 17, '63 



446 



ROSTER 



Commissioned Officers, continued 



NAME AND KANK 



Asst. Surgeons, continued 
John G. Perry 
George R. Dinsmore 

Captains 
Henry M. Tremlett 

John Herchenroder 
Ferdinand Dreher 
Caspar Crowinshield 

George A. Schmitt 

Edmund A. Walleston 
Henry J. Sweeny 
John C. Putnam 
WnUam F. Bartlett 

Allen Shepard 

Alois Babo 
Allen W. Beckwith 
George N. Macy 
Charles F. Cabot 
Norwood P. Hallowell 

Oliver W. Holmes, Jr. 
Henry L. Abbott 
Charles L. Tilden 
Charles A. Whittier 

Arthur R. Curtis 
James Murphy 
Herbert C. Mason 
WiUiam R. Riddle 
William F. Perkins 
Henry L. Patten 

John W. Summerhayes 
Thomas M. McKay 

WiUiam H. Walker 
John Kelliher 
Albert B. Holmes 
James H. Spencer 
Henry W. Mali, Jr. 
Benjamin B. Pease 
Gustave Magnitzky 

First Lieutenants 
Charles L. Peirson(Adjt.) 



23 



27 



TOWN CRED- 
ITED TO 



Boston 
Keene, N. H. 



Dorchester 

Boston 
Boston 
BrookUne 

Cambridge 

Boston 
Boston 
Boston 
Winthrop 

Boston 

Boston 

Boston 

Nantucket 

Boston 

Cambridge 

Boston 
Lowell 
Boston 
Boston 

Boston 

Roxbury 

Boston 

Boston 

Boston 

Cambridge 

Nantucket 
Boston 

S. Reading 

Bridgewater 

Nantucket 

Taunton 

Stockbridge 

Nantucket 

Boston 



Salem 



COMMIS- 
SIONED 



Mar. 18, '63 
Mar. 31, '65 



July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 
July 10, '61 
July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 
July 10, '61 
July 10, '61 
July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 

Oct. 12, '61 
Oct. 22, '61 
Nov. 8, '61 
Nov. 10, '61 
Nov. 26, '61 

Mar. 23, '62 
Aug. 29, '62 
Sept. 5, '62 
Nov. 12, '62 

Dec. 14, '62 
Dec. 18, '62 
Jan. 6, '63 
AprU 12, '63 
April 12, '63 
May 1, '63 

May 1, '63 
July 23, '63 

Aug. 29, '63 
Sept. 9, '63 
Mar. 21, '64 
April 27, '64 
May 7, '64 
June 1, '65 
June 20, '64 



July 1, '61 



TERMINATION OF 
SERVICE 



D. Aug. 10, '64 
M. July 16, '65 



Maj.of 39th Mass. 

Aug. 28, '62 
R. Nov. 7, '61 
Pr.Maj.Sept.5,'62 
Tr. to 1st Mass. 

Cav. Nov. 25, '61 
Tr. to V. R. C. 

July 22, '63 
R. Nov. 9, '61 
R. Oct. 3, '61 
D. f . d. Sept. 8, '63 
Col. of 49th Mass. 

Nov. 12, '62 
Tr. to V. R. C. 

Aug. 29, '63 
K. Oct. 21, '61 
R. Mar. 22, '62 
Pr.Maj.Dec. 18,'62 
K. Dec. 11, '62 
Lt.-Col. of 54th 

Mass. April 11,'63 
D. July 17, '64 
Pr.Maj.Mayl,'63 
D. f. d. Jan. 5, '63 
Maj. andA. D. C. 

April 28, '63 
Pr. Maj. May 7,'64 
D. f. d. Aug. 28, '63 
D. f. d. Mar. 23, '64 
Tr. to V. R. C. 
D. Nov. 4 '64 
Pr. Maj. June 20, 

'64 
D. June 6, '65 
Assassinated, Oct. 

6, '63 
R. April 26, '64 
Pr. Maj. Dec. 3, '64 
M. July 16, '65 
M. July 16, '65 
D. May 20, '65 
R. June 26, '65 
M. July 16, '65 



Lt.-Col. 39th Mass. 
Aug. 30, '62 







ROSTER 


447 


Commissioned Officers, continued 




H 


TOWN CRED- 


COMMIS- 


TERMINATION OF 


NAME AND RANK 


% 


ITED TO 


SIONED 


SERVICE 


Charles W. Folsom 


35 


Cambridge 


July 1, '61 


Pr. Cap. = Q. M. 


(Q. M.) 








U. S. Vols. Mar. 
16, '65 


Oliver W. Holmes, Jr. 


20 


Boston 


July 10, '61 


Pr. Cap. Mar. 23,'62 


John W. Le Barnes 


33 


Sheffield 


July 10, '61 


R. Mar. 26, '62 


Alois Babo 


30 


Boston 


July 10, '61 


Pr. Cap. Oct. 12,'61 


George B. Perry 


21 


Boston 


July 10, '61 


D. f. d. Sept. 30, '62 


James J. Lowell 


23 


Cambridge 


July 10, '61 


K. July 6, '62 


Charles F. Cabot 


24 


Boston 


July 10, '61 


Pr.Cap.Nov.lO,'61 


Henry Capen 
Norwood P. Hallowell 


21 


Boston 


July 10, '61 


R. Oct. 8, '61 


22 


Cambridge 


July 10, '61 


Pr. Cap. Nov. 26, 

'61 
Pr. Cap. Nov. 8, '61 


George N. Macy 


23 


Nantucket 


July 10, '61 


Allen W. Beckwith 


38 


Boston 


July 10, '61 


Pr. Cap. Oct. 22,'61 


Charles L. Tilden 




Boston 


Oct. 9, '61 


Pr. Cap. Sept. 5, '62 


WiUiam F. Milton 




Boston 


Oct. 12, '61 


M. July 16, '65 


Henry L. Abbott 




LoweU 


Nov. 8, '61 


Pr. Cap. Aug. 29, 

■62 
R. July 7, '62 


Henry H. Sturgis 




Boston 


Nov. 10, '61 


Charles A. Whittier 




Boston 


Nov. 26, '61 


Pr.Cap.Nov.12,'62 


August Miiller 




Boston 


Mar. 23, '62 


Dism. May 15, '63 


Henry F. Sanders 




Boston 


July 7, '62 


D. f . d. Mar. 20, '63 


Herbert C. Mason 




Boston 


July 8, '62 


Pr. Cap. Jan. 6, '63 


James Murphy 




Roxbury 


Aug. 29, '62 


Pr. Cap. Dec. 8, '62 


WiUiam R. Riddle 




Boston 


Sept. 5, '62 


D. Aug. 12, '63 


Henry L. Patten 




Cambridge 


Oct. 1, '62 


Pr. Cap. May 1, '63 


Henry Ropes 




Boston 


Oct. 2, '62 


K. July 3, '63 


Edward N. Hallowell 




Medford 


Nov. 12, '62 


Cap. of 54th Mass. 
Mar. 6, '63 


William F. Perkins 




Boston 


Dec. 14, '62 


Pr. Cap. April 12,'63 


Thomas M. McKay 




Boston 


Dec. 18, '62 


Pr. Cap. July 23, '63 


Henry E. Wilkins 




Boston 


Jan. 6, '63 


D. June 15, '63 


WiUiam H. WaUier 




Boston 


Mar. 20, '63 


Pr.Cap.Aug.29,'63 


John W. Summerhayes 




Nantucket 


AprU 12, '63 


Pr. Cap. May 1, '63 


Charles CowgUl 




Dover, Del. 


May 16, '63 


R. Mar. 9, '64 


John Kelliher 




Bridgewater 


May 16, '63 


Pr. Cap. Sept. 9. '63 


Lansing E. Hibbard 




Falmouth 


June 16, '63 


K. May 10, '64 


Albert B. Holmes 




Nantucket 


July 18, '63 


Pr.Cap.Mar.21,'64 


James W. R. HoUand 




Mansfield 


July 22, '63 


D. f. d. July 26, '64 


Daniel Griffin 




Boston 


July 22, '63 


R. June 9, '64 


James H. Spencer 
Thomas S. Milton 




Taunton 


Sept. 9, '63 


Pr.Cap.Apr.27,'64 


20 


Roxbury 


Jan. 4, '64 


Dism. the service 










July 11, '64 


Nathan B. EUis 


29 


Framingham 


Jan. 5, '64 


D. f. d. July 29,'64 


Edward Sturgis 


18 


New York 


Feb. 9, '64 


K. May 10, '64 


Dennis Shea 




Milford 


Mar. 4, '64 


M. July 16, '65 


Henry W. Mali, Jr. 




Stockbridge 


Mar. 8, '64 


Pr. Cap. May 7, '64 


Gustave Magnitzky 




Boston 


Mar. 21, '64 


Pr. Cap. June 20,'64 


Benjamin B. Pease 




Nantucket 


May 18, '64 


Pr. Cap. Junel,'65 
M. July 16, '65 


Charles Rost (Q. M.) 




Worcester 


June 1, '64 


Charles H. Baker (Q.M.) 




Nantucket 


July 1, '64 


D. June 2, '65 


Arthur G. Sedgwick 


20 


Stockbridge 


July 3, '64 


D. f. d. Feb. 3, '65 



448 



ROSTER 

Commissioned Officebs, continued 



NAME AND RANK 



TOWN CRED- 
ITED TO 



COMMIS- 
SIONED 



TERMINATION OF 
SERVICE 



First Lieutenants, con. 
Edward B. Robins 
George W. Leach 
Charles A. Rand 
George A. Packwood 

Second Lieutenants 
Charles A. Whittier 

August Mtiller 

Reinhold Wesselhoeft 

Nathaniel T. Messer 
William L. Putnam 

Charles O. Day 
William F. Milton 

Henry H. Sturgis 

Henry L. Abbott 

Charles L. Tilden 

William R. Riddle 

James Murphy 

Herbert C. Mason 

Henry L. Patten 

Henry F. Sanders 

Henry Ropes 

Edward N. Hallowell 

William F. Perkins 

Thomas J. Pousland 

Anton Hirschauer 

Robert S. Beckwith 

Leander F. Alley 
Thomas M. McKay 

Samuel Willard 



Boston 
Boston 
Boston 
Boston 



Boston 

Boston 

Dorchester 

Boston 
Boston 

Boston 
Boston 

Boston 

Lowell 

Boston 

Boston 

Roxbury 

Boston 

Cambridge 

Boston 

Boston 

Medford 

Boston 

Beverly 

Boston 

Boston 

Nantucket 
Boston 

Boston 



July 30, '64 
Nov. 15, '64 
Dec. 2, '64 
Dec. 2, '64 



July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 
July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 
July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 

July 10, '61 

Oct. 9, '61 

Nov. 8, '61 

Nov. 25, '61 

Nov. 25, '61 

Nov. 25, '61 

Nov. 25, '61 

Jan. 11, '62 

Jan. 16, '62 

April 12, '62 

April 12, '62 

July 7, '62 

Aug. 29, '62 
Sept. 5, '62 

Oct. 1, '62 



M. July 16, '65 
R. June 20, '65 
M. July 16, '65 
M. July 16, '65 



Pr. 1st Lt. Nov. 26, 

'61 
Pr. 1st Lt. Mar. 23, 

'62 
Drowned Oct. 21, 

'61 
D. f . d. Sept. 8. '63 
D. o. w. Oct. 22, 

'61 
R. Oct. 8, '61 
Pr. 1st Lt. Oct. 12, 

'61 
Pr. 1st Lt. Nov. 10, 

'61 
Pr. 1st Lt. Nov. 8, 

'61 
Pr. 1st Lt. Oct. 9, 

'61 
Pr. 1st Lt. Sept. 5, 

'62 
Pr. 1st Lt. Aug. 29, 

'62 
Pr. 1st Lt. July 8, 

'62 
Pr. 1st Lt. Oct. 1, 

'62 
Pr. 1st Lt. July 7, 

'62 
Pr. 1st Lt. Oct. 2, 

'62 
Pr. 1st Lt. Nov.12, 

'62 . 
Pr. 1st Lt. Dec. 14, 

'62 
Dism. the service 

Mar. 20, '63 
D. f. d. Oct. 10, 

'62 
D. o. w. Dec. 31» 

'62 
K. Dec. 13, '62 
Pr. 1st Lt. Dec. 18, 

'62 
Captain of 54th 
Mass. Apr. 14, '63 



ROSTER 

CoMMBSiONED OFFICERS, continued 



449 



NAME AND RANK 



Second Lieutenants, con. 
William H. Walker 

Lansing E. Hibbard 

Charles CowgiU 

John Kelliher 

John W. Snmmerhayes 

Sumner Paine 
Benjamin B. Pease 

George W. Leach 

George H. Packwood 



18 



TOWN CRED- 
ITED TO 



Pittsfield 

Dover, Del. 

Bridgewater 

Nantucket 

Boston 
Nantucket 

Boston 

New York 



COMMIS- 
SIONED 



Oct. 2, '62 

Nov. 12, '62 

Dec. 14, '62 

Dec. 14, '62 

Mar. 14, '63 

April 23, '63 
April 29, '64 

Dec. 30, '63 

Jan. 31, '65 



TERMINATION OF 
SERVICE 



Pr. 1st Lt. Mar. 20, 

'63 
Pr. 1st Lt. June 16, 

'63 
Pr. 1st Lt. May 16, 

'63 
Pr. 1st Lt. May 16, 

'63 
Pr. 1st Lt. April 12, 

'63 
K. July 3, '63 
Pr. 1st Lt. May 18, 

'64 
Pr. 1st Lt. Nov. 5, 

'64 
Pr. 1st L. June 1,'65 



Transferred from the Nineteenth Massachusetts on January 14, 1864 
First Lieutenants 



Henry S. Benson 
Henry W. Bond 
George T. Chase 
Clement C. Moore 



M. July 16, '65 
D. o. w. Mar. 14, '64 
M. July 16, '65 
M. July 16, '65 



Transferred from the Fipteenth Massachuseti'S on July 27, 1864 
Captain James May D. Mar. 11, '65 



First Lieutenants 



Carleton M. Deland 
George O. Wilder 



M. July 16, '65 
D. May 5, '65 



Transferred from the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts on June 21, 1865 

Lieut.-Colonel Rufus P. Lincoln 

Major Mason W. Tyler 

Surgeon Elisha M. White 

Asst. Surgeon Charles E. Inches 

Captain George N. Jones 

Captain Walter B. Smith 

First Lieutenant William J. Coulter 

First Lieutenant James O' Conner 

First Lieutenant Flavel R. Sheldon 

First Lieutenant William A. Waterman 

Second Lieutenant Joseph F. Bartlett 



450 



ROSTER 

NON-COIVCMISSIONED STAFF 



NAME AND RANK 



Sergeant-Majors 
Sylvanus R. Harlow 
George E. Tower 
Robert S. Beckwith 

Benjamin H. Whitford 

William N. Walker 
Charles H. Robinson 



John W. Summerhayes 

Heinrich Marks 
George W. Leach 

Q. M. Sergeants 
Henry F. Sanders 

Charles H. Baker 

Patrick Lanergan 

Com. Sergeants 
Charles B. Tower 
Edward Hennessey 
Jacob Bender 

Hospital Stewards 
Joseph Honnard 
George Gray 

Principal Musician 
David S. Thompson 

Joseph Lovejoy 



22 



34 



RESIDENCE 

OR TOWN 

CREDITED TO 



Waltham 
Stoughton 

Nantucket 

Reading 

Nantucket 

Boston 
Boston 

Boston 

Nantucket 

Boston 



Boston 
Boston 



Boston 
Waltham 



Chilmark 
Lowell 



MUSTERED 



Aug. 24, '61 
Aug. 31, '61 
June 22, '62 

Sept. 10, '62 

Sept. 17, '62 
Oct. 1, '62 



Jan. 1, '63 

Mar. 31, '63 
May 24, '63 



July 26, '61 
Nov. 26, '61 
Nov. 11, '64 



July 26, '61 
Aug. 24, '61 
Mar. 6, '63 



July 26, '61 
Jan. 1, '64 



April 10, '63 
Sept. 1, '63 



TERMINATION OF 
SERVICE 



D. f . d. Nov. 21, '62 
M. July 16, '65 
Pr. 2d Lt. July 7, 

'62 
D. No further re- 
cord 
D. f. d. Jan. 31, '63 
Red. to ranks Jan. 
1, '63. M. Aug. 
1, '64 
Pr. 2d Lt. Mar. 14, 

'63 
Deserted May 3,' 63 
Pr. 2d Lt. Dec. 30, 
'63 

Pr. 2d Lt. Nov. 21, 

'61 
Pr. 1st Lieut. July 

1, '64 
M. July 16, '65 



D. f. d. Mar. 5, '63 
D. f. d. Sept. 14, '61 
M. July 16, '65 



D. f . d. Nov. 1, '61 
M. July 16, '65 



Tr.toV.R.C.Sept. 

1, '63 
M. July 16, '65 



Transferred from the Fifteenth IVLvssachusetts on July 27, 1864 
Commissary Sergeant George W. Faulkner D. Sept. 7, '64 

Transferred from the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts on June 21, 1865 
Sergeant Major John W. Nye 



ROSTER 

BAND 



451 





fn 






TERMINATION OF 


NAME 


o 


RESIDENCE 


MUSTERED 


SERVICE 


John F. Gibbs, (Leader) 


22 




Sept. 14, '61' 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


James W. Allen 


25 


E. Bridge- 
water 


Sept. 14, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Alden Bass 


25 


Abington 


Sept. 14, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Charles M. Bent 


23 


Boston 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Adolph Cellarius 


24 


Roxbury 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Theodore Cellarius 


24 


Roxbury 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


George E. Clark 


33 


Milton 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


William A. Fairbanks 


22 


Abington 


Sept. 14, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Alonzo T. Foster 


32 


Abington ' 


Sept. 14, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Nathan R. Giles 




Cambridge 


Sept. 9, '61 


D. Mar. 26, '62 
O.W.D. 


James S. Gurney 


42 


Abington 


Sept. 24, '61 


D. Mar. 26, '62 
O.W.D. 


Mansfield P. Hatch 


27 


Salisbury 


Sept. 14, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


John B. Haynes 


24 


Boston 


Sept. 9, '61 


D. Mar. 26, '62 
O.W.D. 


Charles A. Kirby 


24 


Boston 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Richard P. Leonard 


29 


Boston 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Isaac Lincoln 


20 


E. Bridge- 
water 


Sept. 22, '61 


D. Dec. 19, '61 
O.W.D. 


Roderick McKay 


23 


Boston 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


Albert F. Merrill 


21 


Walpole 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


George S. Reiser 


19 




Sept. 11, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 
Absent, missing 


George L. Richards 


22 


Roxbury 


Sept. 9, '61 


D. Mar. 26, '62 
O.W.D. 


Frank B. Sawtelle 


25 




Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 


James W. Smith 


21 




Aug. 8, '61 


Tr. to Co. A. 


Charles H. Thompson 


24 




Sept. 14, '61 


D.f.d. Dec. 14,-61 


James B. Wildes 


21 


Georgetown 


Sept. 9, '61 


M. Aug. 8, '62 



Note. The following Roster gives successively the name, age at enlistment, 
residence, date of muster, and termination of service. 

COMPANY A. 

Sergeants 

Battles, Otis L., 28, Plymouth, Aug. 15, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 20, '62. 

Bradley, Aaron, 23, Boston, Aug. 23, '61, d. at ex. of term Aug. 26, '64. 

Cate, George F., 18, Roxbury, Aug. 26, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Clarke, George S., 21, Hinsdale, Aug. 31, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 31, '64. 

Fuchs, William, 26, Roxbury, transferred from Co. C, m. July 16, '65. 

Hibbard, Lansing E., 21, Pittsfield, Aug. 31, '61, pr. 2d L. Nov. 12, '62. 

Merchant, John, 31, Pittsfield, Aug. 8, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Newkirk, Peter, 31, Boston, Aug. 26, '62, k. Oct. 29, '64. 

Smith, Henry J., 23, Salem, Aug. 15, '61, tr. to Co. E. 

Tower, George E., 29, Stoughton, Aug. 31, '61, pr. Sergt. Maj. Jan. 9, '65. 



452 ROSTER 

Cofpcyrals 

Blackwell, James L., 18, Wareham, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 30, '62. 

Bumpus, David R., 29, Wareham, Aug. 15, '61, dishonorably d. Mar. 8, '63. 

Davenport, James B., 18, Boston, Aug. 30, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 14, '64. 

Grose, John D., 21, S. Scituate, Dec. 28, '61, d. ex. t. Dec. 20, '64. 

Mahoney, Daniel, 21, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 22, '62. 

Meade, Edwin B., 19, Lanesboro, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 14, '62. 

Smith, Adelbert, 21, Walpole, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 3, '63. 

Weston, Robert H., 23, Reading, Aug. 23, '61, died Jan. 13, '63, as private. 

Musicians 

Hall, Charles H., 16, Boston, Aug. 20, '61, d. June 30, '65. 
Tuttle, John, 29, Boston, m. July 16, '65. 

Wagoner 
Going, Bradford, 37, Cambridge, Aug. 23, '62, m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 

Albers, Carl A. J., 27, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Allen, Frederick S., 25, Wareham, Aug. 8, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 31, '64. 

Armstrong, Wilham, 24, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, k. May 6, '64. 

. Babcock, Wilham, 40, Hinsdale, Aug. 8, '61, d. f . d. Dec. 28, '62. 
Baker, William, 19, Boston, July 15, '62, m. July 16, '65. 
Ball, Nehemiah F., 37, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, k. June 3, '64. 
Bates, Oliver S., 20, Ellington, N. Y., Aug. 8, '61, died Aug. 19, '64. 
Bauer, William, 27, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65, absent prisoner. 
Beal, Bradford W., 31, Abington, Aug. 31, '61, d. o. w. May 28, '64. 
Besse, Benjamin B., 18, Wareham, Jan. 17, '62, m. July 16, '65: 
Besse, Joshua, 2d, 38, Wareham, Jan. 17, '62, tr. to Co. E. 
Bishop, Alfred L., 18, Russell, Aug. 29, '61, deserted Aug. '62. 
Blom, Henry N., 32, Boston, June 21, '64, d. f. d. Dec. 24, '64. 
Bowman, Oliver H., 32, Randolph, Dec. 13, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 22, '63. 
Brown, Abraham, 20, Cheshire, Aug. 31, '61, m. July 16, '65. Absent pris. 
Brown, Alexander, 18, Ireland, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 29, '62. 
Brown, John, 21, Watertown, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Bumpus, Benjamin F., 36, Wareham, Aug. 1, '62, d. o. w. Jan. 17, '63. 
Bumpus, George W., 26, Wareham, Aug. 10, '61, deserted Aug. 17, '61. 
Bumpus, Henry W., 27, Wareham, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '61. 
Bumpus, Martin A., 18, Harwich, Aug. 18, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 3, '63. 
Burgess, Thomas A., 44, Wareham, Dec. 9, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 1, '63. 
Butler, Ephraim D., 34, Wareham, Dec. 16, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 19, '62. 
Buxton, Frank, 18, Cambridge, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 13, '63. 

Carroll, John J., 31, Wareham, Dec. 11, '61, died Dec. 14, '62. 
Cavanaugh, James, 21, Ireland, Aug. 31, '61, d. o. w. Dec. 15, '62. 
Chapin, Thomas, 20, Norwich, Ct., Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 26, '62. 
Chapman, David G., 34, Pittsfield, Nov. 11, '61, d. f. d. June 8, '63. 
Clark, John, 25, Boston, July 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 



ROSTER • 453 

Cleary, John, 18, Lanesboro, Dec. 13, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Clifton, Benjamin D., 25, Wareham, Aug. 11, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Coburn, Henry J., 20, Greenfield, July 5, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Coon, Martin, 28, Stephenstown, Dec. 9, '61, d. ex. t. July 18, '64. 

Cox, Patrick, 31, Wareham, Aug. 10, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 13, '62. 

Curtis, George H., 33, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 14, '63. 

Desmond, Michael, 21, Boston, Aug. 16, '62, d. Aug. 26, '64. 
Devine, James, 27, Pittsfield, Dec. 19, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 26, '62. 
Dickinson, John K., 37, Dalton, Aug. 8, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Aug. 7, '63. 
Dowd, Philo H., 18, Monterey, Aug. 29, '61, died Nov. 13, '61. 
Dresser, Edward E., 18, Stockbridge, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 12, '64. 
Dwyer, Thomas, 34, Tipperary, Ireland, July 18, '61, k. June 1, '62. 

Edson, John M., 18, Wareham, Aug. 25, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 21, '63. 
Edson, William A., 39, Wareham, Aug. 10, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 27, '62. 

Farrer, Leon, 26, Maiden, Aug. 7, '63, died Oct. 18, '64. 

Finn, William, 25, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, tr. to Co. C. 

Fischer, John, 30, Boston, Mar. 29, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Fiske, N. A., 26, Cranston, R. I., Aug. 15, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 24, '61. 

Flood, John, 31, Boston, Feb. 20, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C, Oct. 

29, '64. 
Ford, Daniel N., 26, Boston, Aug. 15, '62, d. Aug. 1, '64. 
Ford, James, 35, Wareham, Aug. 8, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 16, '63. 
Foster, George, 37, Chatham, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Fowler, James, 23, Colraine, July 18, '63, tr. to Co. C. 
Francis, Jonathan, 19, Worcester, Aug. 8, '61, d. cf. w. Dec. 13, '62. 
Freeman, Charles, 21, Boston, July 29, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Fritsh, George, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. June 27, '65. 

Gallagher, Edward, 17, Boston, Apr. 30, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Gammons, Samuel L., 44, Boston, Aug. 10, '61, d. f. d. May 2, '62. 
Gartland, William, 39, Boston, Aug. 7, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 
Gay, John S., 24, Pepperell, Aug. 30, '61, d. f. d. May 2, '62. 
Getz, Jacob, 18, Boston, Aug, 30, '61, tr. to Co. B. Dec. 20, '63 as corporal. 
Gibbon, William, 24, Truro, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Gleason, Michael, 35, Boston, May 4, '63, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 16, '63. 
Glover, William, 25, Wareham, Aug. 8, '63, tr. to Co. C. 
Goodrich, Amos B., 19, Dalton, Aug. 30, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 1, '61. 
Goodwin, Charles, 36, W. Stockbridge, Dec. 18, '61, k. May 6. '64. 
Graham, John, 24, Boston, July 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Graves, Alphonso K., 29, Newport, N. H., Aug. 30, '61, died Dec. 3, '61. 
Green, Thomas W., 30, Wareham, Aug. 11, '62, tr. to V. R. C, Nov. 15, '63. 
Greenwood, Horace, 24, Cambridge, July 22, '62, deserted Apr. 12, '64. 

Haley, Jeremiah C, 28, Ireland, Aug. 10, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 9, '64. 
Hammell, William, 27, Worcester, Aug. 5, '63, tr. to V. R. C. 
Hanscom, Leander,;i8, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, k. Aug. 24, '64. 



454 * ROSTER 

Harlow, James A., 18, Wareham, Aug. 10, '61, m. July 16, '65. 
Harrington, Leonard, 43, Boston, Aug. 15, '62, d. o. w. Mar. '64. 
Harris, Abel T., 31, Wareham, Aug. 15, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 6, '64. 
Hartford, George, 30, Wareham, Aug. 15, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 5, '63. 
Hartford, Patrick, 38, Wareham, Aug. 10, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 
Hartford, Thomas, 26, Wareham, Aug. 10, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 
Haskins, Thomas C, 37, Rochester, Aug. 10, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 6, '64. 
Hassett, Michael, 34, Cambridge, Feb. 20, '62, tr. to Co. D. as sergeant. 
Hathaway, Albert F., 20, Wareham, Feb. 20, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Hearty, Michael, 35, Boston, Aug. 30, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 18, '65. 
Heath, Benjamin F., 29, Sandisfield, Aug. 30, '61, m. July 16, '65. 
Heath, Henry B., 18, Monterey, Aug. 30, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 12, '62. 
Hennesey, Michael, 22, Ashland, Mar. 4, '62, died Feb. 22, '65. 
Hogan, Patrick, 27, JVIarion, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Homer, Charles N., 45, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, d. Dec. 11, '61. 
Howard, George H., 35, Easton, Aug. 10, '61, deserted Aug. '63. 

Johnson, William V. 28, England, Aug. 10, '61, d. f. d. May 2, '62. 
Jones, George H., 19, Springfield, Aug. 31, '61, tr. to Co. G. 

Keller, Frederick J., 26, Boston, May 23, '62, d. ex. t. Aug. 26, '64. 

Kelly, George F., 19, Pittsfield, Aug. 31, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Kelly, John, 25, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Aug. 

25, '64. 
Kelly, Thomas, 22, Ireland, Aug. 29, '61, k. July 3, '63. 
Kendall, Thomas J., 20, Hinsdale, Aug. 29, '61, tr. to Co. E. Apr. 1, '62. 
King, Edward R., 23, ChE^rlemont, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 9, '61. 

Lamphrey, Ephraim, 40, Cambridge, Aug. 23, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
Lamson, Levi, Jr., 22, Stockbridge, Aug. 31, '61, d. June 30, '65, O. W. D. 
Lane, Daniel C, 34, Boston, Aug. 10, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 10, '64. 
Lange, Carl, 40, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Langley, Andrew A., 25, Cambridge, Aug. 23, '61, died Oct. 14, '64. 
Leines, Thomas D., 38, Quincy, Mar. 14, '64, d. May 15, '65. 
Leiz, Paul, 26, Chelsea, Aug. 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Leland, Horace F., 21, Quincy, July 19, '62, deserted Aug. 18, '63. 
Leonard, William L., 30, Wareham, Dec. 11, '61, d. f. d. May 28, '62. 
Lewis, Arthur S., 28, Pittsfield, Nov. 20, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 20, '63. 
Little, William C. S., 30, Wareham, Aug. 11, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 4, '63. 
Loring, George H., 18, Wareham, Feb. 16, '64, died a prisoner at Andersonville, 
Ga. Dec. 10, '64. 

McCarthy, William, 25, Boston, Oct. 8, '61, deserted Aug. 14, '62. 
McDermott, Patrick, 28, Ireland, Aug. 29, '61, d. o. w. Jan. 4, '62. 
McDonald, John, 22, Northampton, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. 
McDuncan, John, 21, Concord, transferred to NaA'y April 27, '64. 
McLean, Alexander, 25, Roxbury, Aug. 7, '63, died a prisoner at Salisbury, 

N. C. Dec. '64. 
Manley, Albert A., 36, Boston, Aug. 28, '62, k. May 13, '64. 



ROSTER 455 

Manley, John C, 30, Boston, Aug. 16, '62, m. Aug. 1, '65. 
Marshall, George, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, Missing since June 3, '64. 
Maxfield, Samuel, 41, AKord, Dec. 26, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 14, '62. 
Meek, Samuel A., 19, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 29, '63. 
Miller, Henry, 25, Worcester, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. 
Miller, James, 23, Boston, Feb. 26, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Milton, Charles, 19, HoUiston, Apr. 6, '64, missing since June 3, '64. 
Minamon, Nathan F., 32, Wareham, Aug. 11, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
IMitchell, William, 37, Boston, Feb. 25, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Moeghn, Louis, 36, Germany, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 29, '62. 
Moran, Thomas, 23, Amherst, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
MorriU, William, deserted July 2, '65. 

Morrison, John, 42, Wareham, Aug. 18, '61, d. Dec. 16, '61. 
Morrisey, John, 18, Boston, Aug. 27, '61, deserted Aug. 10, '62. 
Morse, Abraham, 24, Boston, July 28, '62, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 
Morse, James K., 18, Walcotville, Ct. Aug. 8, '61, died a prisoner at Salis- 
bury, N. C. Dec. 28, '64. 
Morse, Tilson A., 20, Wareham, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 16, '61. 
Murphy, Daniel, 36, Ireland, Aug. 10, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 10, '64. 
Murphy, James, 23, Bolton, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Natter, Edward, 18, Quincy, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Newell, Charles C, 22, Boston, Aug. 14, '62, d. f. d. Apr. 1, '63. 
Newton, Antipas, 42, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 29, '62. 
Nickerson, James T., 19, Wareham, Feb. 20, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Noble, James H., 31, Hartford, Ct., Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 23, '63. 
Noble, Wilbur, 26, Hartford, Ct., Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 14, '62. 

O'Connor, Patrick, 27, transferred from Co. F., m. Aug. 1, '64. 
O'Grady, William, 18, Boston, Aug. 30, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 1, '62. 
Orcutt, John C, 30, Boston, Feb. 13, '62, m. July 16, '65. 

Pahl, Albert, 26, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, d. May 16, '65, O. W. D. 

Pinkan, Emil, 20, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Plant, George L., 37, Boston, Aug. 31, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

PoDomereoche, Julius, 27, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Quindland, John, 26, Dennis, Dec. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Randnitzky, Frederick, 37, Concord, Aug. 4, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Rarke, Henry, 19, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Raymond, William H., 21, Holliston, Apr. 6, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Reed, John, 27, Pittsfield, Nov. 7, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 10, '63. 

Rex, Frederick W., 21, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Richardson, Tyler, 21, Boston, Aug. 7, '62, k. May 6, '64. 

Richeman, John, 39, Lawrence, Aug. 6, '63, m. July 15, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Riorden, John, 21, Boston, transferred from Co. B., deserted July 5, '64. 

Robbins, Cyrus, 20, Stoneham, Feb. 2, '65, died May 4, '65. 

Robbing, George H., 28, Harwick, Aug. 18, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 21, '63. 



456 ROSTER 

Robbins, Parker P., 21, Plympton, Aug. 11, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 7, '63. 

Robinson, Abram, 33, Gloucester, Aug. 7, '62, died Jan. 18, '63. 

Rogers, John, 23, Wareham, Aug. 11, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 7, '63. 

Rollins, Valentine P., 44, Chelmsford, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. May 8, '63. 

Rowbotham, John, 30, Pennsylvania, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 24, '61. 

Russell, Isaac, 33, Wareham, Dec. 12, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 7, '63. 

Russell, James R., 24, Wareham, Aug. 8, '61, died a prisoner at Salisbury, 

N. C, Dec. 17, '64. 
Russell, John, 35, Dartmouth, June 30, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Russell, John, 22, Ashfield, July 18, '63, deserted Dec. 11, '63. 
Russell, Stephen S., 18, Wareham, Aug. 15, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 15, '64. 
Ryan, Joseph, 22, W^areham, Aug. 11, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 16, '61. 
Ryder, William, 24, Gloucester, Aug. 30, '61, d. July 16, '65. 

Schmidt, Charles, 25, Middleton, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Sept. 20, '63. 
Schoenherr, Gustavus, 21, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent pris- 
oner. 
Searle, Dwight A., 21, Granville, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 1, '62. 
Sexton, Edward C, 19, Stockbridge, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 31, '62. 
Shanley, Thomas C, 28, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Sept. 15, '63. 
Shaw, Herman H., 20, Cummington, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 20, '62. 
Shields, Farrell, 22, Colrain, July 18, '63, tr. to Co. F. 
Sloan, John A., 40, Pittsfield, Nov. 13, '61, died Oct. 8, '62. 
Smith, James W., 21, transferred from Band, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
Smith, John, 21, Greenfield, tr. to Navy, Apr. 17, '64. 
Smith, Joseph, 19, Lynn, Aug. 29, '61, tr. to Co. E. 
Smith, Thomas, 42, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 16, '61. 
Smith, William H., 18, Berlin, N. Y., Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 2, '62. 
Snell, Joseph, 34, Wareham, Aug. 18, '61, tr. to Co. K. 
Snell, William, 25, Wareham, Dec. 13, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 24, '63. 
Somers, John, 30, Boston, Sept. 6, '62, d. at ex. t. July 16, '65. 
Spear, Adrian, 22, Falmouth, June 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Spear, Marcus, 21, Lynn, Aug. 5, '63, tr. to Co. D. 
Staples, Frank, 32, Belmont, Aug. 5, '63, d. f. d. Jan. 4, '64. 
Stevens, Edward K., 34, Wareham, Aug. 15, '61, d. f. d.. Mar. 30, '63. 
Stewart, Stephen B., 42, Boston, Aug. 12, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
Storer, Benjamin F., 39, Hiram, Me., Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 30, '62. 
Strong, King,' 44, Pittsfield, Nov. 11, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 30, '63. 
Sullivan, James, 28, Stockbridge, Dec. 16, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 23, '65. 
Sullivan, John J., 22, Barre, July 18, '63, deserted Sept. 15, '63. 
Sweeney, John, 28, N. Andover, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Nov. 8, '63. 
Swift, Julian W., 21, Wareham, Feb. 22, '64, d. o. w. Nov. 15, '64. 

Talbot, John D., 22, Sharon, July 28, '62, d. f. d. Oct. 8, '62. 
Thompson, David S., 44, Chilmark, Aug. 30, '62, promoted principal musi- 
cian, N. C. S. Apr. 10, '63. 
Thompson, James T., 18, Wareham, Feb. 20, '64, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 2, '65. 
Tiernan, Thomas C, 26, Provadence, R. I., Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. May 17, '64. 
Tilton, Lyman P., 22, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, d. June 14, '65, O. W. D. 



ROSTER 457 

Toomey, John, 27, Barre, July 5, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Torsey, Timothy T., 36, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, killed Oct. 21, '61. 
Tower, Alvin, 29, Cohasset, Aug. 27, '61, died June 8, '62. 

Underwood, Theodore, 19, Georgetown, Jan. 13, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 16, '63. 

Videto, Alfred, 22, WiUiamsburg, N. Y., Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. 
Voigt, Julius, 22, Maiden, May 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Wamecke, Herman, 20, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. July 27, '65. 

Waters, George W., 21, Cambridge, Aug. 23, '61, killed Oct. 21, '61. 

Webber, John, 38, Bridgewater, Aug. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Weber, Henry, 22, Boston, July 15, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Welch, William, 29, Ireland, Aug. 23, '61, killed Oct. 21, '61. 

Wellington, Waldo H., 34, Ashby, Aug. 29, '61, deserted Apr. 29, '63. 

Wells, John, 18, Adams, Aug. 31, '61, deserted Aug. 10, '62. 

Wood, George E., 21, Boston, Aug. 15, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Wood, Manton A., 18, Lanesboro, Aug. 31, '61, d. June 21, '65. 

Woodland, WiUiam, 29, Ireland, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 15, '62. 

Wolf, Julius, 28, Boston, Mar. 29, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Wright, Charies, 21, Beverly, Aug. 8, '61, killed Oct. 21, '61. 

Wurbs, Franz, 27, Boston, Apr. 6, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 



Transferred from the Nineteenth Massachusetts on January 14, 1864 

Corporal 
Dillon, Edward A., m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 

Bartlett, Henry F., tr. from Co. D. Aug., '64. 

Bauer, Michael, died a prisoner ot war, Sept. 17, '64. 

Bode, Henry, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Braley, Henry C, d. f. d. Feb. 9, 'Q5. 

Brown, Charles A., died Dec. 7, '64. 

Burke, Michael S., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Carey, Philip, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Collins, George, m. July 16, 'Q5. Absent prisoner. 
Cook, Charles, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Echehnan, James, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Fitzgerald, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Goodnow, Samuel E., tr. to V. R. C. 

McTague, Dominick, died Dec. 27, '64. 

Mack, John, deserted Mar. 2, '65. 

Mack, Thomas C, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 



458 ROSTER 

Ripley, Thomas K., tr. to Co. B. 

Runey, Peter, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on Jdx.t 27, 1864 

Privates 
Abraham, Charles, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Watson, George H., m. Aug. 1, '64. 

COMPANY B 

Sergeants 

Bitzer, Lewis, 26, Boston, July 26, '61, m. July 16, '65. 
Buettinger, Adam, 31, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Mar. 20, '63. 

Crowley, Patrick, 19, Lowell, tr. from Co. G., m. July 16, '65. 

Hirschauer, Anton, 31, Boston, July 26, '61, pr. 2d Lieut. April 12, '62! 
Holland, David, 26, Weymouth, Apr. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Joeckei, George, 25, Roxbury, July 26, '61, killed July 3, '63. 

Otto, Gustav, 25, Boston, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 28, '65. 

Rost, Charles, 19, Worcester, July 26, '61, pr. 1st Lieut. June 1, '64. 

Schoof, Frederick A., 31, Boston, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C, Oct. 20, '63. 
Smoke, Albert, 29, Boston, Nov. 22, '61, m. July 16, '65. 
Strachwitz, Bernard, 23, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Sept. 5, '62. 

Wagner, Bathaser, 25, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 17, '62. 
Wittekindt, Henry, 26, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 15, '63. 

Corporals 
Buettinger, Christian, 34, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 18, '63. 

Fleirg, Ferdinand, 28, Reading, July 26, '61, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. 
Jan. 29, '65. 

Garharet, Francis, 45, Boston, tr. from Co. F., m. July 16, '65. 

G€tz, Jacob, 18, Boston, tr. from Co. A., Dec. 20, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Heerter, Anton, 25, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 3, '63. 

Kessler, Michael, 25, Boston, July 26, '61, m. July 16, '65. 



ROSTER 459 

Lang, Emil, 30, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Sept. 25, '62. 

Miller, Gottfried, 30, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 6, '63. 

Suess, Werner, 36, Boston, Aug. 2, '61, d. f. d. May 31, '62. 

Tiesler, Bruno, 30, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 14, '63, as a private. 

Wanders, William, 35, Roxbury, Aug. 6, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 9, '62. 

Miisician 
Gilbert, Philip, 20, Boston, July 26, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 

Andres, August, 29, Maiden, Aug. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Anthony, Joseph, 36, Boston, Aug. 10, '61, d. Aug. 19, '64. 
Arnold, Charles, 22, Boston, Sept. 19, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 7, '63. 
Asher, Adolph, 21, Boston, Sept. 2, '61, deserted Dec. 24, '62. 

Bader, Frederick, 19, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Baier, Henrich, 25, Chelsea, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 1, '63. 

Baker, Charles, 16, Roxbury, transferred from Co. C, m. July 16, '65. 

Baumann, August, 24, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Beck, William A., 35, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, dishonorably d. Mar. 11, '62. 

Becker, Edward, 30, Boston, Jan. 19, '64, deserted, Apr. 11, '64. 

Beckman, August, 24, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Beckman, Conrad, 24, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. May 3, '65. O. W. D. 

Bierlig, WiUiam, 20, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Biewaid, Carl, 19, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Bixler, Paul, 23, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Boder, Henry, 36, Boston, Aug. 18, '62, k. May 6, '64. 

Boehne, Julius, 31, Dedham, July 26, '61, no further record. 

Bohme, Frank, 20, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Bondy, Louis, 29, Roxbury, July 14, '64, deserted June 13, '65. 

Bornemann, Henry C. A., 31, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. May 29, '65. O. W. D. 

Bostell, Theodore, 19, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 2, '65. 

Brandtberg, William, 44, Roxbury, Aug. 8, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent 

wounded. 
Breitfeld, Emil, 21, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Brown, John, 27, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 7, '63. 
Buchen, Herman, 23, Lynn, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Aug. 27, '63. 
Burke, Michael, 22, Boston, Sept. 2, '62, dis. Oct. 13, '64. 
Burrell, David, 19, Medford, Mar. 15, '64, rejected Apr. 26, '64. 

Caesar, JuUus, 21, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Caspar, Nicholas, 44, Cambridge, Oct. 15, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 29, '62. 
Choisnel, John, 39, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Oct. 20, '63. 

Decker, Ferdinand, 19, Boston, July 26, '61, transferred to Co. F. as sergeant. 
Denner, Adam, 31, Boston, Oct. 4, '61, d. f. d. June 18, '62. 



460 ROSTER 

Derner, Robert, 24, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Diereks, Christian, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Dippolt, John, 24, St. Mary, Penn. July 31, '61, d. o. w. July 6, '63. 

Ecker, Otto, 29, Roxbury, July 26, '61, d. July 26, '64. 

Eggers, Henry, 21, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Ehler, John, 31, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Einhorn, Carl J. W., 27, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, k. May 6, '64. 

Elliott, Samuel, 35, Charlestown, July 26, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Eisner, Constantine, 25, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. f. d. June 8, '65. 

Fathaurn, Herman F., 30, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Fischer, Adolph, 21, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. May 25, '62. 
Fischer, John, 26, Boston, Apr. 10, '61, transferred to Co. D. 
Fisher, Henry, 21, Springfield, July 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Fitzgerald, John, 22, Greenfield, d. f. d. Apr. 21, '64. 
Frank, Henry, 23, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Apr. 10, '64. 
Frank, John, 24, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. f. d. June 17, '65. 
Frank, William, 21, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 7, '62. 
Freeman, August, 19, Boston, May 3, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Gluer, Frederick, 30, Germany, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded- 

Goethke, John, 42, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 15, '62. 

Gramburg, George, 19, Hingham, May 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Green, Benjamin F., 18, Portsmouth, N. H., Sept. 7, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 21, '61. 

Grein, George, 23, Boston, Aug. 22, '61, deserted Aug. 12, '62. 

Guillaume, Charles, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

GurUtz, Louis, 29, Boston^Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Guternuth, Frederick, 31, Boston, July 26, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

Haas, Charles, 40, Dedham, July 26, '61, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Hampe, Frederick, 30, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, d. June 20, '65. O. W. D. 

Hanifer, John, 35, Quincy, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 15, '64. 

Harler, Lorenz, 27, Boston, July 26, '61, d. o. w. Apr. 14, '63. 

Harrington, James, 33, Sandwich, Mar. 22, '64, no further record. 

Hauer, Frederick W., 23, Boston, Mar. 22, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Heidlberg, Louis, 32, Boston, June 10, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Heller, Louis, 27, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Helmbricht, Henry, 27, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Henig, Franz, 25, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Aug. 9, '61. 

Herbst, Pankratz, 27, Boston, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 7, '63. 

Herz, Joseph, 22, Springfield, July 14, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Homberg, John, 25, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Huhn, August, 23, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Hulse, Julius, 26, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Humpke, Herman, 27, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Jagers, Henry, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Johnson, Thomas, 23, Ashfield, July 18, '63, deserted Aug. 27, '63. 



ROSTER 461 

Jordan, Carl, 21, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Jost, John, 20, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Jung, William, 31, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. May 13, '62. 

Kahl, Ernst, 35, Boston, Jan. 19, '64, deserted Apr. 6, '64. 

Kajewsky, Julius, 33, Dedham, Aug. 22, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 21, '63. 

Kane, John, 28, Easthampton, July 18, '63, transferred to Co. I. 

Karcher, Frederick, 36, New Bedford, Sept. 13, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 2, '63. 

Kask, Johann, 31, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Aug. 9, '61. 

Katcher, Charles, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. 

Aug. 9, '64. 
Katz, Fritz, 19, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Kawell, Gustav, 18, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 10, '63. 
Kessler, Theodore, 24, Boston, Apr. 9, '64, d. f. d. Nov. '64. 
Klara, Charles, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, d. f. d. Feb. 15, '65. 
Kleeberg, Frederick, 41, Boston, Aug. 22, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 
Knabbs, Albert, 20, Boston, transferred from Co. C. d. f. d. Feb. 15, '65. 
Kretschmer, Adolph, 30, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 25, '63. 
Krug, August, 21, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, transferred to Co. D. 
Kuhfus, Max, 21, Maiden, May 12, '64, deserted Jan. 1, '65. 
Kurtz, Henry, 19, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Lamb, Jacob, 47, Germany, Sept. 3, '61, d. f. d. May 10, '62. 
Lippert, Edmund G., 21, Boston, May 7, '64, d. May 26, '65. O. W. D. 
Loeslein, Simon, 36, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 8, '63. 
Lohrmann, Charles, 25, Boston, Apr. l,/64, m. July 16, '65. 
Lubbert, WiUiam, 32, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. f. d. June 3, '65. 
Lysholm, Henry, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

McDonald, Hugh, 36, Boston, Mar. 21, '64, missing since May 30, '64. 

McDonald, Thomas, 21, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 15, '64. 

McHugh, Miles, 20, Lynn, July 31, '63, died Jan. 27, '64. 

McLaughlin, John, 26, Cummington, July 18, '63, d. f. d. Deo. 9, '63. 

Mack, Thomas, 40, Concord, July 25, '63, d. o. w. May 6, '64. 

Maier, Ciprion, 26, Roxbury, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 16, '63. 

Marks, Frederick, 24, Roxbury, July 9, '63, deserted June 13, '65. 

Marks, Heinrich, 37, Boston, July 26, '61, pr. Sergt. Maj. Mar. 31, '63. 

Marlook, Jacob F., 39, Sept. 13, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 21, '61. 

Marzahl, August, 21, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, sent a prisoner to Salisbury, N. C- 
Sept. 9, '64. No further record. 

Mealy, James, 23, Boston, Feb. 25, '64, deserted June 26, '64. 

Meed, Charles, 21, Amherst, July 18, '63, deserted Apr. 7, '64. 

Metzger, George, 20, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent. 

Meyer, Christian, 18, Boston, July 31, '62, deserted May 4, '63. 

Meyers, Herman, 33, Concord, July 30, '63, dishonorably discharged by sen- 
tence of G. C. M. Aug. 22, '64. 

Miller, Carl, 18, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Miller, Jacob, 38, Boston, Apr. 5, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Miller, William P., 28, Truro, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Aug. 27, '63. 



462 ROSTER 

MoUer, Julius, 25, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Morrow, William, 37, St. John, N. B., Sept. 9, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 21, '61. 

Most, August, 32, Roxbury, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 1, '62. 

Noirel, Charles, 38, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Aug. 25, '61. 

Opitz, Godfrey, 24, Boston, Jan. 21, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Otto, Gustav, 25, Boston, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 28, '65. 
Otto, William, 31, Cambridge, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 18, '63. 

Pabst, Joseph, 25, Boston, Aug. 6, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Aug. 9, '63. 
Pfeiffer, Jacob, 24, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. May 19, '64. 
Polie, Frederick, 35, Cambridge, Dec. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Putner, Peter, 18, Dedham, Feb. 20, '64, murdered Oct. 6, '64. 

Rabenan, Ludwig, 21, Sept. 8, '61, killed Sept. 17, '62. 

Raubs, Gebhart, 27, Sept. 4, '61, killed Oct. 14, '63. 

ReflF, Louis, 27, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Feb. 30, '63. 

Rehmer, William, 28, Boston, Sept. 13, '62, m. July 16, '65. 

Reiver, Francis, 24, Apr. 14, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Riensberg, Heinrich, 31, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Riess, Christian, 24, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, deserted to the enemy Nov. 24, '64. 

Riorden, John, 21, Boston, Mar. 11, '64, tr. to Co. A. 

Rock, Wenden, 32, Gloucester, June 12, '64, deserted June 13, '65. 

Rohrbeck, Fritz, 27, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C 

Jan. 16, '65. 
Rosenau, Charles, 22, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Roth, Moses, 23, Boston, Aug. 2, '61, died July 1, '62. 

Sampson, William, 36, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Sept. 27, '63. 

Schaber, John, 24, Boston, July 26, '61, died Sept. 29, '62. 

Schamer, John, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Schaur, John, 23, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Scherer, Peter, 19, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Scherz, William, Boston, May 26, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Schieferdecker, Herman O., 26, New Bedford, Aug. 29, '61, deserted Feb. 9, '63. 

Schilling, John, 26, Worcester, Aug. 6, '61, d. o. w. Sept. 20, '62. 

Schmidt, Gotfried, 20, Medford, Aug. 4, '63, dishonorably dis. Mar. 15, '67. 

Schmidt, Henry, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, tr. to Co. C. 

Schnege, August, 36, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 21, '62. 

Schoenberg, Henry J., 32, Boston, Aug. 6, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 30, '63. 

Schrader, Frederick, 37, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Shrassig, Heinrich, 21, Maiden, May 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Schriever, William, 35, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Schroeder, John, 29, Boston, Mar. 30, '64, dis. June 30, '65. 

Schulz, Henry W., 32, Boston, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Jan. 13, '65. 

Schilze, Charles, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, tr. to V. R. C. Aug. 15, '64. 

Schuster, Christian, 32, Reading, July 26, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Schwarzman, Edward, 40, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 28, '62. 



ROSTER 463 

Schwerin, Frederick, 27, Pembroke, m. July 16, '65. 
Seibel, Conrad, 25, Roxbury, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 17, '63. 
Seip, Jacob, 35, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64, missing since May 10, '64. 
Sessler, Jacob, 24, Randolph, July 26, '61, deserted Oct. 25, '62. 
Siegrist, Carl, 38, Boston, July 6, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Stieber, Albert, 23, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Stolle, Louis, 19, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Strale, John, 32, Greenfield, July 12, '64, m. Jidy 16, '65. 
Sturm, Martin, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Tent, Frederick, 30, Tisbury, Apr. 1, '64, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga* 

Nov. 25, '64. 
Thieman, August, 19, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, d. July 15, '65. O. W. D. 
Trautwein, John B., 40, Roxbury, Aug. 29, '61, d. o. w. June 8, '62. 

Vaughnsphoor, Joseph, 33, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 9, '63. 

Veillard, John, 35, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, tr. to Co. F. 

Vogel, George, 24, New Bedford, July 10, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '62. 

Wagner, Christian, 26, Boston, July 26, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Weissensee, Clemens, 26, Boston, July 26, '61, killed July 3, '63. 

Wenige, Herman, 25, Boston, Oct. 11, '61, deserted Sept. 15, '62. 

Wildman, Henry G., 31, Quincy, Aug. 6, '61, dishonorably discharged by 

G. C. M. Jan. 20, '63. 
Wilhelm, Andreas, 23. Boston, July 26, '61, d. o. w. Oct. 20, '62. 
Wilson, August, 36, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Jan. 3, '62. 
Wirth, Herman, 21, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Wolfram, Adolph, 27, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Wortmann, Adolph, 26, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Wrieth, Henry, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. f. d. July 28, '64. 
Writh, Frederick, 21, Boston, Apr. 18, '64, d. June 10, '65. O. W. D. 

York, Henry, 22, Roxbury, Jiily 16, '64, deserted July 13, '65. 

Zeis, Julius, 24, Sterling, Apr. 9, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Zoelner, Franz E., 40, deserted Dec. 10, '62. 



Transferred from the Nineteenth Massachiisetts on January 14, 1864 

Cor-poral 
MathisoD, Henry, m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 

Burns, Daniel, deserted Mar. 17, '64. 

Cooper, James, deserted Mar. 15, '64. 

Hall, Frank B., m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Hubner, Frederick W., died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Nov. 8, '64. 



464 ROSTER 

Mokle, Frank, d. June 16, '65. O. W. D. 
Ripley, Thomas K., tr. from Co. A., died Apr. 9, '64. 
Sullivan, James, d. f. d. Feb. 20,«'64. 
Trapp, Charles, deserted Apr. 7, '64. 

Transferked from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on July 27, 1864 

Privates 
Anton, Carl, d. ex. t. Oct. 8, '64. 

COMPANY C 

SergeanU 
Griffin, Daniel, 19, Boston, July 18, '61, pr. 1st Lt. July 22, '63. 

Joseff, PhiUp P., 21, Philadelphia, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 6, '63. 

Magnitzsky, Gustave, 22, Boston, July 18, '61, pr. 1st Lt. Mar. 21, '64. 

Reiss, Albert, 29, Boston, July 18. '61, d. f. d. Feb. 18, '62. 

Sanders, Henry F., 26, Boston, July 26, '61, pr. Q. M. Segt. 
Schlett, Peter, 33, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 13, '63. 

Will, Frederick, 32, Roxbury, July 18, '61, d. July 27, '65. 
Wolf, Joseph, 23, Boston, July 18, '61, d. o. w. July 20, '62. 

Corporals 
Goulding, James T., 28, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 28, '64. 

Hummel, Joseph, 43, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 12, '62. 
Hurley, Edward, 39, Roxbury, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 11, '62. 

JosefF, Emanuel, 23, d. f. d. Oct. 24, '62. 

Light, Charles, 30, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, d. Feb. 22, '63. 

Steffens, Anton, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
Stott, Joseph, 31, Boston, Sept. 1, '61. No further record. 

Musicians 
Baker, Henry, 18, Dana, Mar. 22, '64, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 

Kernberger, Adolph, 18, Boston, July 26, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 



ROSTER 465 

Privates 
Andemach, Florence, 32, Boston, Aug. 9, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 5, '63. 

Baker, Charles, 16, Roxbury, Dec. 9, '61, tr. to Co. B. 

Baskett, Andrew, 21, Roxbury, Nov. 22, '61, d. ex. t. Nov. 12, '64. 

Baskett, Joseph, 18, Roxbury, Nov. 22, '61, deserted July 31, '62. 

Bender, Jacob, 34, Boston, July 18, '61, pr. Com. Sergt. Mar. 6, '63. 

Beska, George, 42, Roxbury, July 20, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 2, '62. 

Betz, John S., 34, Roxbury, Nov. 29, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 17, '62. 

Bohme, Franz, 26, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, d. f. d. Apr. 29, '64. 

Bohner, Alois, 28, Watertown, Mar. 8, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Bollmer, Adam, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, tr. to V. R. C. Dec. 30, '64. 

Brogan, Dennis, 18, Milford, tr. from Co. F. Sept. 3, '63. 

Bruder, Leopold, 31, Roxbury, Feb. 20, '62, d. f. d. Apr. 28, '63. 

Bulsingsteben, William H., 46, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 26, '61. 

Busche, Frederick W., 32, Charlestown, Sept. 9, '62, missing since May 6, '64. 

Butler, Patrick L., 21, Boston, Sept. 6, '62, deserted Mar. '64. 

Canahan, John, 44, Boston, Aug. 15, '62, deserted Sept. 14, '62. 
Christely, Charles, 33, Amesbury, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 2, '62. 

Damp, Ludwig, 24, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Deck, Henry, 25, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Oct. 

15, '64. 
Decker, Anton, 18, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, tr. to Co. F. 
Dirch, William, 41, Clinton, July 18, '61, k. accidentally July 7, '62. 
Durant, Oswald, 25, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, d. f. d. Nov. 19, '64. 
Durgin, John C, 21, Boston, Aug. 5, '62, m. July 16, '65. 
Duttling, August, 20, Boston, July 18, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Eayres, William B., 28, Aug. 3, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '63. 

Ferguson, Andrew, 38, Fitchburg, July ISf '63, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '63. 
Finn, William, 25, Boston, tr. from Co. A., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Folger, Reuben S., 36, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. June 24, '63. 
Foster, William C, 23, S. Danvers, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Sept. 4, '63. 
Fowler, James, 23, Colraine, tr. from Co. A., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Frank, Charles, 22, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 

Freidenberg, Nathan, 21, Middleboro, Aug. 8, '63, k. July 23, '64. 
Friedrichsen, Ludwig, 40, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, k. Aug. 14, '64. 
Frincn, Zeiwin, 24, Dorchester, Apr. 1, '64, deserted June 13, '64. 
Fuchs, William, 26, Roxbury, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. A. as Sergt. 
Fuhrman, Michael, 21, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. f. d. Jan. 16, '65. 

Gammel, Samuel, 39, Maiden, tr. from Co. A., m. July 16, '65. 
Garbe, Henry, 29, Boston, Mar. 4, '64, died Oct. 19, '64. 
Gatzens, George, 21, Sandwich, May 11, '64, deserted Oct. 26, '64. 
Glover, William, 25, Wareham, tr. from Co. A., deserted May 29, '64. 
Goldberg, Jacob, 21, Boston, July 28, '62, died Dec. 23, '62. 



466 ROSTER 

Gollies, Edward, 22, Boston, Mar. 25, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 22, '62. 
Graigan, Bernard, 21, Saxony, Aug. 29, '61, deserted June 30, '62. 
Grier, Charles, 18, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
Groht, Henry, 25, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, died July 19, '64. 
Gunther, Frederick, 18, Baltimore, July 18, '61, d. Aug. 9, '61. 

Hahn, Werner, 26, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 
Harris, Thomas, 28, Gloucester, Aug. 5, '63, tr. to Navy, Apr. 25, '64. 
Hartman, Matthias, 42, Boston, July 28, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 10, '63. 
Haskins, Henry F., 25, Wareham, Aug. 11, '62, tr. to 11th U. S. inf. Nov. 13, 

'62. 
Hausch, Albert, 18, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Nov. 

10, '64. 
Hayes, John B., 40, Boston, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. May 27, '62. 
Heggerty, William, 20, Amherst, July 18, '63, deserted Sept. 13, '63. 
Heim, Joseph, 26, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 
Helm, WilHam, 30, Boston, Aug. 30, '61, deserted Apr. 30, '63. 
Hofman, Philip, 23, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Oct. 15, '63. 
Honnard, Joseph, 34, Boston, July 18, '61, pr. Hosp. Stew. July 26, '61. 
Huhn, Franz, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 
Huitte, Patrick, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. F. 
Hunck, Frederick, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, k. May 6, '64. 

Johnson, Frederick, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted July 31, '62. 
Junghaw, August, 30, Boston, Apr. 4, 64, tr. to Co. F. June 13, '65. 

Kassell, George, 28, Roxbury, Sept. 18, '61, deserted Mar. 25, '63. 
Kemberger, Andreas, 40, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 27, '63. 
Kernberger, William, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted June 12, '64. 
Knabbes, Albert, 20, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, tr. to Co. B. 
Kohler, George, 34, Boston, July 18, '61, died Dec. 22, '62. 
Kraft, Alois, 30, Boston, July 18, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Kuhn, Frederick, 23, Boston, Apn 1, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. 
Feb. 11, '65. 

Lairbaud, Christian, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. f. d. Feb. 6, '65. 
Langhirichs, William, 35, Boston, Mar. 29, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, 

N. C. Oct. 25, '64. 
Leiblein, William, 35, Roxbury, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 13, '62. 

McGovem, Patrick, 25, Lynn, July 18, '61, k. May 6, '64. 

McFarland, Malcolm, 43, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Oct. 8, '63. 

Maiers, Christian A., 18, Roxbury, Aug. 5, '62, deserted May 4, '63. 

Meghan, James, 37, Boston, Aug. 16, '62, missing since May 18, '64. 

Meroth, Charles, 18, Boston, Aug. 6, '62, died Nov. 29, '62. 

Meyer, Albert, 22, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, d. f. d. May 12, '65. 

Meyer, Jacob, 28, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 2, '62. 

Meyer, Joseph, 29, Boston, July 18, '61, drowned Oct. 21, '61. 

Miller, Carl, 32, Cambridge, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 10, '63. 



ROSTER 467 

Miller, Frederick W., 18, Boston, Mar. 23, '64, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 7, '65. 

Miller, Gustave A. F., 20, Plymouth, June 6, '64, deserted June 13, '64. 

Minuty, Franz, 29, July 26, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 

Mochle, August, 29, Boston, k. May 6, '64. 

Moegle, Christian, 23, Lawrence, July 18, '61, d. f. d. June 23, '62. 

Moore, Rickey W., 33, Boston, Apr. 6, '64, deserted May 30, '64. 

Murphy, John, 30, Boston, Aug. 11, '62, tr. to V. R. C. 

Murphy, Patrick, 30, Boston, Aug. 11, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 

Murphy, Patrick, 26, Boston, Sept. 12, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Myers, George, 30, Boston, Mar. 26, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 2, '63, 

Noonan, Edward, 24, Boston, transferred from Co. G, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

O'Donnell, Hugh, 21, Lexington, Aug. 30, '62, deserted Nov. 19, '62. 
Otto, Simon, 19, Boston, transferred from Co. F, missing since May 8, '64. 

Pfister, Charles, 46, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 1, '61. 
Prehl, John, 36, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, missing since May 5, 64. 
Proehl, August, 26, Boston, missing since May 6, '64. 

Quimbly, John, 21, Boston, July 26, '61, k. May 6, '64. 

Rank, Herman, 20, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Oct. 1, '62. 

Reidel, Herman, 19, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. Mar. 1, '65. 

Reismott, Charles, 25, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, deserted June 13, '64. 

Reymers, Edward, 28, Boston, July 26, '61, k. May 6, '64. 

Rinner, Johan, 38, Lawrence, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 20, '62. 

Roach, Samuel, 34, Boston, Aug. 15, '62. No record subsequent to Sept. 3, '62. 

Rohm, John, 23, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 10, '62. 

Rubin, Robert, 22, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Oct. 1, '62. 

Ruppert, Frederick, 19, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 14, '64. 

Schlegel, John, 21, Boston, July 14, '63, deserted June 13, '64. 

Schmidt, Henry, 26, Boston, transferred from Co. B, deserted to the enemy 

while prisoner of war. 
Schneider, Jacob, 18, Roxbury, Dec. 17, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 
Schubert, August, 22, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, d. f. d. Jan. 16, '64. 
Schuster, George, 26, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 1, '63. 
Seasley, Christian, 22, Roxbury, Dec. 18, '61, deserted Apr. 13, '64. 
Seeberg, Rudolph, 24, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, died Feb. 27, '65. 
Seeberg, Simon, 19, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, d. o. w. Sept. 18, '64. 
Seibert, Christian, 32, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 13, '63. 
Seifert, Herman, 33, I^awrence, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64, as absent wounded 

since May 6, '64. No further record. 
Seitz, Louis, 30, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 25, '61. 
Sharff, Anthony, 44, Baden, Sept. 2, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 10, '63. 
Sleeper, Jacob, 33, Boston, Aug. 21, '61, d. of disease, Aug. 26, '63. 
Spicer, Gotfried, 35, died Sept. 18, '62. 

Spicer, James, 38, Dorcliester, July 8, '64, deserted June 13, '64. 
Stoll, Otto, 18, Roxbury, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Mar. 28, '64. 



468 ROSTER 

Tepfer, Edward, 22, Boston, Mar. 1, '64, d. o. w. Aug. 29, '64. 

Trembly, Christopher, 35, Tisbury, July 3, '63, transferred to Co. F, June 13, '65. 

Unreihn, Carl, 20, Apr. 4, '64, tr. to Co. F. June 15, '65. 
Urban, Henry, 22, New Bedford, died Jan. 7, '65. 

Vogel, Henry, 21, Lawrence, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 6, '62. 

Wettberg, Edward, 23, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, transferred to Co. K. 
Wipfler, Jacob, 32, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 27, '63. 
Witte, Edward, 19, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, tr. to V. R. C. Mar. 21, '64. 
Wolfe, Michael, 34, Roxbury, Nov. 22, '61, k. June 3, '64. 

Zeuner, Franz, 34, Roxbury, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 4, '63. 

Transferred from the NmETEENTH IVIassachusetts on January 14, 1864 

Private 
Hadley, Edmund, d. f. d. June 20, '65. 

TRANSFiaiKED FROM THE FnTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS ON JULT 27, 1864 

Musician 
Kane, John D., discharged June 8, '65, O. W. D. 

COMPANY D 

Sergeants 

Berry, Horace A., 23, Quincy, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 4, '63. 
Bixby, Charles H., 20, Boston, July 18, '61, k. July 3, '63. 
Blackburn, Robert, Jr., 21, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, k. May 6, '64. 

Cogan, James M., 31, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. July 24, '62. 

Curtis, Charles J., 23, Canton, July 18, '61, promoted 1st Lt. Apr. 27, '64. 

Hassett, Michael, 34, Cambridge, transferred from Co. A, m. July 16, '65. 
Holland, James W. R., 22, Mansfield, July 18, '61, promoted 1st Lt. July 
22, '63. 

McGee, John A., 27, Northbridge, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. 
McGuire, Barnard, 23, promoted Mar. 7, '65, m. July 16, '65. 

Parker, Josiah H., 21, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, d. Mar. 25, '65. 

Talcott, Richard H. L., 24, Mansfield, July 18, '61, d. f. d. July 7, '62. 

Willard, Samuel, 22, Boston, July 18, '61, promoted 2d Lt. Oct. 1, '62. 
Wilson, George, 40, Portsmouth, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 12, '62. 



ROSTER 469 

Cofporals 
Alger, Israel, 32, Boston, July 18, '61, died June 8, '62. 

Barber, John, 21, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 
Booth, WiUiam H. H., 22, New Bedford, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 24, '62. 
Bowen, Henry, 39, Boston, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. May 1, '62. 

Donnelly, James, 19, Greenfield, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 9, '65. 

Hawkins, Richard, 28, Boston, July 18, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Kemp, James A., 24, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Sampson, Frank, 21, Boston, July 18, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Tripp, Lott, 43, New Bedford, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '61. 

Musicians 
Ashley, Daniel, 18, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 5, '62. 

Fernandez, Francis N., 16, Boston, Feb. 21, '62, m. July 16, 'Q5. 

Wagoner 

Draper, Daniel H., 35, Milford, transferred from Co. G, d. ex. t., Aug. 
25, '64. 

Privates 

Aiken, Alexander, 25, New Bedford, Aug. 24, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Atherton, James A., 25, Springfield, July 6, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Atkinson, Robert, 23, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Sept. 4, '62. 

Baker, Asa B., 22, Wareham, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Jan. 14, '63. 

Baxter, John, 32, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61. Nothing further. 

Baxter, John W., 21, Fitchburg, July 18, '63, d. June 22, '65. O. W. D. 

Besse, Joshua, 2d, 38, Wareham, transferred from Co. E, died Apr. 28, '64. 

Borden, Daniel W., 20, New Bedford, July 18, '61, k. Dec. 13, '62. 

Bres, Louis, 22, Roxbury, Apr. 9, '64, m. July 16, 'Q5. Absent prisoner. 

Brooks, John C, 21, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 

Brown, James R., 36, Roxbury, July 18, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Brown, John, 29, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Sept. 11, '62. 

Brown, John, 22, Boston, Aug. 6, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 

Bryson, Thomas, 35, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, died a prisoner at SaUsbury, N. C. 

Nov. 7, '64. 
Buckley, James, 33, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, d. o. w. Jan. 1, '63. 
Burditt, Thomas E., 22, Lancaster, Sept. 4, '61, d. ex. t. Sept. 14, 64. 
Butler, William M., 22, Boston, Aug. 4, '62, tr. to V. R. C. 

Cable, George, 25, Mattapoisett, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 16, '63. 
Cahalan, John, 21, Boston, Oct. 9, '62, m. July 16, '65. 
Calon, William, 18, Boston. July 26, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 



470 ROSTER 

Casey, Daniel, 38, Salem, Dec. 10, '61, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Casey, William, 29, Lowell, Mar. 29, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 8, '63. 

Cero, Charles, 21, July 18, '61, d. o. w. Jan. 1, '63. 

Chalmer, James L., 29, Eastham, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Cheeney, John M., 27, Boston, Aug. 7, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 

Clare, Robert, 27, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, d. ex!, t. Sept. 3, '64. 

Coffin, John E., 33, Boston, July 22, '62, d. f. d. Apr. 19, '63. 

Collins, Maurice, 36, Boston, Aug. 30, '62, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 

Connelly, Eugene, 24, Boston, Aug. 12, '62, k. Nov. 5, '64. 

Connor, James, 25, Boston, July 8, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Cott, John, 21, Springfield, July 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Dag, John, 22, Quincy, Aug. 29, '61, k. June 8, '64. 

Davis, George, 28, Lawrence, Sept. 2, '61, deserted Aug. 27, '63. 

Davis, John, 28, Truro, Aug. 8, '63, tr. to Navy, Apr. 23, '64. 

Davis, John J., 26, Greenfield, July 18, '63, deserted Sept. 30, '64. 

Davis, William, 38, Boston, July 28, '63, d. f. d. Aug. 11, '64. 

De Courcey, Charles, 21, Easthampton, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Denkla, Frederick W., 26, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Denningham, David, 18, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, deserted June 5, '64. 

Denningham, William, 19, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, deserted Sept. 14, '62. 

Denton, Charles H., 21, Brewster, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Derex, Louis, 21, Worcester, Aug. 3, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Devine, John, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 

Dickerson, Hiram B., 21, Rochester, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Dill, Joseph, 29, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, d. Oct. 10, '62. 

Donallan, Michael, 18, Sept. 4, '61. 

Donohoe, James, 25, Foxboro, Aug. 9, '62, k. Dec. 11, '63. 

Doran, William I., 25, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 20, '63. 

Douglas, James R., 30, Melrose, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Sept. 20, '63. 

Dow, James, 23, Boston, Aug. 23, '62, tr. to V. R. C, Aug. 1, '63. 

Drake, George J., 41, Boston, July 21, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Dress, John, 25, Warren, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 16, '63. 

Dudley, Peter, 22, Swanzey, Aug. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Duffin, Richard, 35, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 3, '63. 

Dugan, Dennis, 19, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, k. May 12, '64. 

Duker, James, 28, Boston, Mar. 13, '62, d. ex. t. Mar. 13, '65. 

Dupee, Job W., 19, Lowell, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 21, '63. 

Earnes, Warren F., 18, Maine, Aug. 31, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Euner, Cliristian, 29, Lakeville, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 16, '63. 

Evans, James G., 30, Salem, Feb. 11, '62, d. ex. t. Feb. 11, '65. 

Evans, William, 29, Easthampton, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Fischer, John, 26, Boston, transferred from Co. B, died July 1, '64. 

Fitzgerald, Joseph, 22, Worcester, m. July 16, '65. 

Flagg, George P., 35, Rutland, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. July 9, '62. 

Ford, Samuel W., 24, Roxbury, July 9, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

French, John, 23, Ashfield, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. 



ROSTER 471 

Gagleham, Patrick, 30, Boston, Sept. 2, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Galligan, James, 30, Lowell, Sept. 2, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Garment, George, 26, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, d. f. d. May 25, '65. 

Geesler, Francis, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 10, '64. 

Glacken, Thomas, 18, Boston, transferred from Co. G, reenlisted Mar. 29, '64. 

No further record. 
Goodrich, John, 22, Springfield, July 6, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Grah, Hugo, 30, Boston, Mar. 9, '64, missing since May 6, '64. 
Graham, William, 28, England, Aug. 31, '61, captured Oct. 21, '61, paroled 

May 28, '62, at SaUsbury, N. C. No further record. 
Grany, John, 22, Springfield, July 6, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Hart, Robert, 21, Sept. 4, '61, d. ex. t. Sept. 5, '64. 

Haskins, John B. G., 17, New Bedford, Aug. 29, '61, deserted Sept. 16, '62. 

Heescher, Henry, 28, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, missing since May 6, '64. 

Hosges, Samuel, 22, Springfield, Aug. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick 

Holbrook, Alden H., 19, Quincy, July 18, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Howard, Hiram V., 23, New Bedford, July 18, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Inch, William, 32, Boston, July 30, '62, k. July 3, '63. 
Irving, William, 26, Boston, Aug. 31, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Jackson, William, 25, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 13, '61. 

Jennings, Joseph D., 25, New Bedford, July 18, '61, d. July 24, '65. 

Johannsen, John H. N., 27, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Johnson, Henry A., 28, Boston, July 9, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Johnson, Junius J., 29, Boston, Aug. 15, '62, k. Dec. 14, '62. 

Jones, Edward, 38, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 12, '61. 

Jones, Robert T., 27, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 8, '62. 

Jordan, Joseph H., 30, Boston, Aug. 26, '62, deserted Apr. 10, '63. 

Keefer, William, 23, Mar. 30, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Kempton, Lewis, 19, Dedham, Feb. 20, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Kendrick, Nathan P., 19, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Kennedy, James, 26, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Sept. 5, '62. 

Kernachan, John B., 26, Boston, Mar. 3, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Kestin, Edward, 43, Boston, Sept. 11, '62, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 

Krug, August, 21, Boston, transferred from Co. B, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Kyd, Ernest, 25, Dorchester, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Leyson, John, 19, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, d. f. d. June 15, '63. 

Long, Marcus J., 18, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 

Levering, John, 22, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Lucas, George, 22, New Bedford, Aug. 10, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Luzarder, Joseph, 18, Quincy, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 22, '61. 

Lynch, John, 18, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Lyon, John, 30, Fall River, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 30, '63. 

McCuUough, Patrick, 26, Sept. 2, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 
McEliny, John W., 32, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Sept. 14, '64. 



472 ROSTER 

McFarling, Samuel, 23, Boston, Aug. 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

McGee, IVIichael, 39, New Bedford, Sept. 9, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 

McGuire, Barnard, 23, Jan. 7, '64, promoted Sergeant, Mar. 7, '65. 

McMuUen, Sinney, 35, Canton, Aug. 8, '62, d. f. d. May 30, '63. 

McQueeny, John T., 31, Boston, July 28, '62, tr. to V. R. C, Sept. 3, '63. 

McQuestion, Clinton, 18, Haverhill, Aug. 21, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

McVey, James, 27, Somerville, July 23, '62, d. f. d. Nov. 13, '63. 

Manning, Patrick, 24, Aug. 29, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

May, William, 20, Concord, Aug. 31, '61, d. Sept. 2, '62. 

Meacham, Loring, 35, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. July 25, '62. 

Medbury, Alpheus T., 25, Seekonk, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 7, '62. 

Merrill, Eli, 45, Boston, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Nov. 3, '63. 

Munroe, Charles, 27, Boston, Mar. 11, '64, k. June 8, '64. 

Murphy, David, 23, Boston, Aug. 27, '62, d. f. d. Sept. 2, '63. 

Murphy, Edward, 26, New Bedford, July 22, '61, deserted Sept. 5, '62. 

Murphy, John, 23, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, d. July 28, '65. 

Murphy, John, 24, Boston, July 18, '61. No further record. 

Murphy, John E., 18, New Bedford, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 15, '64. 

Mutliig, Christopher, 22, Boston, Mar. 26, '64, deserted June 15, '64. 

Neary, John, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, k. July 3, '63, 

O'Brien, Daniel, 19, Boston, July 18, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 
O'Connell, John J., 19, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 13, '63. 
O'Hara, Patrick, 41, Boston, tr. from Co. K, d. Aug. 27, '64. 
O'Harran, Hugh, 33, Pittsfield, Sept. 4, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 
O'Keefe, Owen, 30, Aug. 24, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 25, '64. 
O'Leary, Patrick, 18, Boston, Aug. 23, '62, tr. to V. R. C. 

Partridge, Amos H., 18, Westminster, Aug. 29, '61, d. o. w. Nov. '61. 

Perry, William D., 22, New Bedford, Nov. 29, '61, tr. to V. R. C. 

Pliillips, Andrew, 23, Boston, Mar. 11, '62, d. Mar. 25, '65. 

Place, Henry, Jr., 42, New Bedford, Aug. 10, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 30, '63. 

Poore, John, 21, Kingston, July 9, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Porter, Calvin, 44, Huntington, Aug. 26, '61, k.'Oct. 21, '61. 

Pratt, William, 34, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. May 22, '62. 

Proctor, Josiah H., 21, Franklin, Aug. 29, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Reed, Willard O., 18, Haverhill, Aug. 21, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 21, '61. 
Reeves, Seeley P., 28, New Jersey, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 
Robertson, Daniel T., 24, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 24, '62. 

Sackett, Francis, 43, Ashburnham, Aug. 5, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 14, '61. 

Scanlin, David, 23, Boston, d. f. d. Jan. 31, '65. 

Sham, Henry, 26, Greenfield, deserted June 14, '65. 

Shankland, James, 22, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 27, '63. 

Shuman, Albert, 42, New Bedford, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 1, '62. 

Simester, William H., 30, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 9, '63. 

Skellin, Samuel D., 42, Charlestown, Aug. 7, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 



ROSTER 473 

Slattery, John, 38, Boston, July 22, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 12, '63. 

Slattery, Patrick, 23, Foxboro, Aug. 9, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 15, '63. 

Smith, James, 35, New Bedford, July 18, '63. 

Smith, Joseph, 19, Lynn, Aug. 23, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 29, '64. 

Smith, Matthew, 35, New Bedford, July 18, '61, died Dec. 11, '62. 

Spear, Marcus, 21, Lynn, tr. from Co. A, m. July 16, '65. 

Stanwood, Charles, 25, Wellfleet, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Steinhoffer, August, 24, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, d. o. w. June 6, '64. 

Stetson, Albert W., 21, Randolph, Feb. 17, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Mar. 15, '64. 

Stockwell, Joseph, 24, d. Feb. 4, '64. 

Sullivan, James, 23, New Bedford, July 18, '61. 

Tarter, James, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 12, '63. 

Taylor, John, 26, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 12, '61. 

Tettler, James, 35, Lawrence, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 13, '63. 

Teyson, John, 25, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 11, '63. 

Thompson, William, 33, tr. from Co. E, d. ex. t. Aug. 24, '64. 

Tufts, William N., 23, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 31, '63. 

Tullar, Samuel, 25, Boston, Mar. 15, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Turnbull, Alexander, 39, S. Reading, tr. from Co. E, d. ex. t. Aug. 21, '64. 

Walch, Nelson J., 45-, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 2, '61. 

Warren, James G., 20, New Bedford, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 30, '63. 

Wheeler, Francis A., 29, New Bedford, July 22, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 20, '63. 

Whitcomb, Levi, 18, New Bedford, Aug. 29, '61, d. Mar. 25, '65. 

Wilder, J. Emory, 37, Dedham, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. May 1, '62. 

Wilson, James, 25 Springfield, July 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Witherell, David, 34, Boston, Sept. 10, '62, d. f. d. Sept. 12, '63. 

Woods, Ashbury M., 22, Conn., Aug. 24, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 31, '64. 

Woods, Matthew, 38, Worcester, July 6, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Yorkatsen, Julius, 27, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 



Transfekked from the Nineteenth Massachusetts on January 14, 

1864 
Privates 

Barnes, WiUiam, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Barrett, James, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Bartlett, Henry F., tr. to Co. A, Aug. '64. 

Conners, Henry, d. f. d. Apr. 17, '65. 

Copp, David G., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Doer, Stephen, m. July 16, '65. 
Doherty, George, m. July 16, '65. 
Dow, Thomas A., d. f. d. May 17, '65. 

Eastman, Robert H., m. July 16, '65. 



474 ROSTER 

Frye, Joseph, tr. to V. R. C. 

McCaul, John, m. July 16, '65. 
McDonald, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Matthews, Charles, 2d, d. June 21, '65. 
MuUigan, Michael, tr. to Navy, Mar. 29, '64. 

Reese, Grcorge, tr. to Navy, Mar. 29, '64. 

Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on July 27, 1864 

Privates 
Armstrong, Hugh, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Doulay, John. 

Newer, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

COMPANY E 

Sergeants 

Carpenter, Charles F., 26, Attleboro, Aug. 24, '61, d. ex. t. July 24, '64. 
Carroll, William H., 32, Cambridge, July 22, '62, tr. to V. R. C. 

Davis, Martin F., 22, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, d. f. d. Aug. 3, '63. 

Echenstein, Bernhardt L., 25, Stockhohn, Aug. 24, '61, deserted Dec. 7, '62. 

Ingalls, WilUam H., 24, Marblehead, Aug. 24, '61, tr. to Co. F as private. 

Smith, Henry J., 23, Salem, tr. from Co. A, deserted Aug. 26, '61. 

Warren, Horace M., 20, S. Reading, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 23, '62. 
Weatherbee, Edmund D., 25, Rutland, July 22, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent 
wounded. 

Cofporals 

McGuire, PhiUp, 32, Cambridge, July 22, '62, d. f. d. May 14, '64. 
Mclntire, John, 18, Boston, Nov. 11, '61, d. o. w. Jan. 25, '63. 

De Ronda, John D., 21, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 21, '61. 

Somerville, James C, 18, Boston, July 22, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Streeter, Uriah J., 25, Dummerstown, Vt., Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 9, '63. 

Wagoners 
Bend, Edward P., 31, Wayland, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 26, '62. 

Tumbull, Alexander, 39, S. Reading, Aug. 31, '61, tr. to Co. D as private. 



ROSTER 475 

Privates 

Barg, Henry, 28, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. 

Apr. 20, '64. 
Bender, Senrin, 29, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, dishonorably d. July 15, '65. 
Bent, Joseph F., 27, Carver, Sept. 11, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 30, '63. 
Besse, Joshua, 2d, 38, Wareham, transferred from Co. A, tr. to Co. D. 
Brenner, James, 38, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Bridges, Henry, 24, Boston, July 22, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 24, '61. 
Britton, George, 18, Chesterfield, Vt., Aug. 8, '61. 
Brown, Francis G., 41, Lincoln, Sept. 13, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 29, '64. 
Byron, Alfred G., 25, Boston, Apr. 21, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Camway, John, 25, Apr. 25, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Carey, Andrew, 35, Ireland, Aug. 8, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 

Carr, John, 40, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 26. '63. 

Carter, William T., 45, Charlestown, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 24, '62. 

Carver, David, 27, Foxboro, July 22, '61, d. o. w. Oct. 23, '61. 

Chapman, Joseph, 31, Stamford, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 30, '63. 

Chase, George L., 40, Lynn, July 22, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 14, '63. 

Chase, Smith, 44, Boston, Oct. 29, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 7, '63. 

Conners, Eugene, 42, Boston, July 15, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 8, '63. 

Conway, Thomas, 29, Boston, Aug. 20, '62, d. f. d. June 1, '63. 

Ciunmings, Noah L., 26, Quincy, Feb. 26, '62, k. May 6, '64. 

Darrell, Josiah M., 26, Boston, July 22, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Dettner, William, 22, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, missing since May 6, '64. 

Devlin, Joseph, 35, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, d. Dec. 12, '62. 

Dinehy, Timothy, 24, Concord, Sept. 7, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 

Doherty, Patrick, 30, Charlestown, July 22, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Donnelly, John, 38, Worcester, Dec. 8, '61, d. May 5, '65. 

Downey, Thomas, 35, Boston, Aug. 30, '62, k. July 3, '63. 

Fames, Frank W., 22, deserted Aug. 6, '63. 

Faxon, Horatio, 38, Braintree, Aug. 15, '62, k. Sept. 17, '62, 

Fenton, John, 42, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 7, '63. 

Fisher, Edward, 27, Boston, transferred from Co. F, missing since May 6, '64. 

Flemming, Thomas, 19, Lawrence, Aug. 8, '61, deserted Aug. 13, '61. 

Garrity, Edward C, 18, Concord, Sept. 19, '61, died June 18, '62. 
Garrity, Malachi, 43, Concord, Aug. 1, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 18, '64. 
Gilbert, Willard, 18, Brattleboro, Aug. 8, '61, d. July 24, '65. 
Gleason, Edward O., 36, Millbury, Aug. 8, '61, k. July 30, '62. 
Goddard, Peter, 19, Canada, Aug. 10, '61, deserted Aug. 15, '61. 
Gorman, Patrick, 28, Cambridge, July 22, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Apr. 10, '64. 
Grace, Peirce, 21, Boston, July 11, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 
Gray, Nathan H., 19, Andover, Aug. 25, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 25, '64. 
Griffin, Lucius, 25, Carver, Aug. 8, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 



476 ROSTER 

Hagens, Barnard, 22, Boston, Sept. 5, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 8, '63. 
Hamilton, Samuel, 20, Chester, Del., Aug. 30, '61, deserted Jan. 15, '62. 
Hanaford, Benjamin F., 25, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Apr. 6, '64. 
Harrington, Timothy, 26, Boston, July 22, '61, d. f. d. June 20, '62. 
Harrisi John, 21, Springfield, July 8, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 
Harwood, Ezra O., 28, Georgetown, July 22, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 
Hirl, Michael, 42, Cambridge, July 19, '62, d. f. d. May 5, '63. 

Johnson, David, 28, Glasgow, July 22, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 22, '62. 
Johnston, Arthur, 34, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, tr. to Co. F. 

Kehoe, Lawrence, 18, Boston, July 22, '61, deserted Sept. 17, '62. 

Kehoe, Thomas, 19, Concord, Aug. 1, '62, d. f. d. Sept. 1, '64. 

Kelly, Cornelius J., 22, Boston, July 22, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 1, '64. 

Kelly, Henry, 28, Boston, Aug. 23, '62, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. 
Aug. 23, '64. 

Kelsey, John, 23, Marlboro, Vt. Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 18, '61. 

Kendall, Thomas J., 20, Hinsdale, transferred from Co. A, Apr. 1, '62, dis- 
honorably d. Aug. 29, '64. 

Kennedy, John, 20, Pittsfield, Aug. 29, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 13, 63. 

King, John P., 21, Boston, Sept. 26, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 

Kippler, Edward, 24, Bedford, Apr. 8, '64, missing since May 6, '64. 

Leary, Cornelius, 26, Boston, July 22, '61, d. July 22, '64. 

Leonard, Jeremiah, 37, Boston, July 22, '61, d. f. d. May 12, '62. 

Leonard, William A., 23, Boston, July 22, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Locke, Joseph, 39, Cavendish, Vt., Aug. 8, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 

Lucas, Jonathan P., 25, Rochester, Feb. 8, '62, k. July 3, '63. 

McCarthy, John, 38, Boston, July 26, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 26, '63. 
McGillvary, Donald, 29, Foxboro, Aug. 9, '62, d. f. d. Sept. 17, '62. 
McGowan, John, 29, Quincy, July 22, '61, k. June 30, '62. 
McShane, Robert, 35, Boston, July 16, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 13, '63. 
Maloney, John, 24, Springfield, July 8, '63, dropped June 12, '65. 
Mather, John, 32, Boston, Nov. 11, '61, d. Dec. 17, '62. 
Miller, Ludwig, 28, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, missing since May 6, '64. 
Monaghan, Peter, 18, Boston, Sept. 12, '62, deserted July 2, '63. 
Murphy, Michael, 28, Boston, July 22, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

O'Neil, Cornelius, 24, Quincy, Aug. 24, '61, deserted Mar. '62. 

Parker, Hiram R., 18, W. Hoxbury, Oct. 7, '61, deserted Sept. 6, '62. 
Payberry, Charles A. S., 18, Denmark, Aug. 24, '61, tr. to 1st Mass. Apr. 1, '63. 
Picher, William, 19, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, missing since May 18, '64. 
Pierce, Cilenius M., 22, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Sept. 17, '62. 

Rea, Francis O., 19, Boston, July 23, '62, died Mar. 15, '63. 
Regan, Andrew, 29, Boston, July 22, '61, d. f. d. May 15, '62. 
Riley, James, 34, Roxbury, July 22, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 26, '62. 



ROSTER 477 

Rowe, Moses, 45, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 14, '64, 

Rush, John, 43, Abington, Aug. 15, '61, tr. to 13th Mass. Aug. 15, '61. 

Schmidt, Harie, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, missing since May 6, '64. 

Schmidt, John, 23, Marblehead, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Sept. 5, '63. 

Slade, Henry, 22, Springfield, July 8, '64, dropped Jvme 15, '65. 

Smith, James J., 18, Conway, Aug. 13, '61, deserted Aug. 26, '61. 

Smith, John, 21, Boston, Sept. 26, '62, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. 

Sept. 1, '64. 
Smith, Joseph, 19, Lynn, transferred from Co. A. 
Smith, WilUam G., 22, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 4, '63. 
Stewart, George, 28, July 22, '61, rejected Aug. 26, '61. 
Stockwell, Edward S., 27, Boston, July 22, '61, d. f. d. July 24, '63. 
Sullivan, IVIichael M., 19, Boston, Aug. 19, '62, deserted Sept. 4, '62. 
Sullivan, Michael S., 22, Nashua, N. H., July 22, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 

6, '63. 
Sweetland, Artemus, 26, Vernon, Vt., Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 30, '63. 

Thompson, William, 33, Scotland, Aug. 21, '61, tr. to Co. D. 
Tootell, William, 30, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, d. o. w. June 23, '63. 

Vance, Henry, 22, Springfield, July 8, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 
Volker, WUliam, 23, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, missing since May 6, '64. 

White, James, 25, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, d. f. d. Feb. 3, '64. 
Wilkinson, Charles, 30, Lancaster, July 18, '63, deserted Feb. 8, '64. 
WUhams, Thomas, 22, Ashfield, July 18, '63, deserted Oct. 1, '63. 
Wilson, James B., 35, Barnstable, Aug. 5, '63, killed May 6, '64. 
Wilson, Maurice, 28, Charlestown, July 22, '61, tr. to Co. F. 
Wray, James E., 26, Watertown, Mar. 14, '64, d. May 12, '64. 



Transfekked from the Nineteenth Massachusetts on January 14, 

1864 



Privates 



Bird, Peter, m. July 16, '65. 
Heill, Frank, m. July 16, '65. 

Welch, Martin, m. July 16, '65. 



Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on July 27, 1864 

Sergeants 

Cobum, Otis, d. June 12, '65. 
Cudworth, Edward, m. July 16, '65. 

Ford, William H., m. July 16, '65. 



478 ROSTER 

Richardson, John A., died June 21, '65. 
Williams, George, m. July 16, '65. 

Cofjxyrals 
Armington, Samuel, m. July 16, '65. 

Bemis, Edson D., d. f. d. July 13, '65. 

Shaw, Charles L., died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., Dec. 19, '64. 
Sullivan, John, m. July 16, '65. 

Musicians 
Craig, David, m. July 16, '65. 

Matthews Isaac, m. July 16, '65. 

Pharnes, John E., m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 

Acker, Elbridge, d. July 27, '65. 

Ackerman, Charles, d. o. w. Nov. 1, '64. 

Adams, Edwin L., d. f. d. Mar. 30, '65. 

Adams, James H., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Adams, John, m. July 16, 'Q5. Absent sick. 

Aldfich, Charles H., d. ex. t. July 29, '64. 

Allen, Ethan, m. July 16, '65. 

Allen, George W., d. ex. t. Feb. 2, '65. 

Arnold, Charles H., m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Bachelder, Isaac G., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Baker, Henry A., m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Barnes, Francis A., d. ex. t. Feb. 2, '65. 

Barry, Joseph, d. ex. t. Dec. 4, '64. 

Bartlett, Edward, m. July 16, '65. Absent in confinement. 

Barters, Charles H., d. ex. t. July 31, '64. 

Bean, Charles W., m. July 16, '65. 

Bishop, Jere W., d. ex. t. Dec. 4, '64. 

Brainard, Robert, tr. to V. R. C. 

Branner, Henry, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Breach, Thomas, m. July 16, '65. 

Brewster, William, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Broad, Amos W., m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Brown, William, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Buckley, Michael, m. July 16, '65. 

Burbank, Nathaniel, tr. to Dept. of the Gulf. 

Burt, David, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Cady, Dyer D., d. ex. t. Aug. 6, '64. 
Cane, Thomas, m. July 16, '65. 



ROSTER 479 

Canty, Owen, m. July 16, '65. 

Cassidy, Charles, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Cassidy, George, tr. to V. R. C. 

Chapman, Clinton A., d. May 3, '65. 

Chausen, Ferdinand, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Cheeney, Herbert L., d. ex. t. Dec. 12, '64. 

Clapp, Henry H., d. Apr. 28, '65. O. W. D. 

Clarke, Charles, died a prisoner at Salisbury. N. C. Dec. 21, '64. 

Clifford, James, d. June 30, '65. 

Coates, James, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Oct. 11, '64. 

Collins, Thomas, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Copeland, Joseph, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Dec. 21, '64. 

Crawford, Wallace, d. June 5, '65. O. W. D. 

Davidson, Henry L., m. July 16, '65. 

Davis, Albert, d. May 5, '65. 

Davis, George P., m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Davis, James L., d. June 21, '65. 

Dawson, Henry R., m. July 16, '65. 

Dawson, Peter, m. July 16, '65. Absent woimded. 

Dempsey, Patrick E., m. Jidy 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Denift, Edward, m. July 16, '65. 

Dimon, John H., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Dixon, John C, d. July 27, '65. 

Donahue, Daniel, ra. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Dowd, Joseph C, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Eaton, Francis W., died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Sept. 29, '64. 

Fellows, Joseph E., died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Mar. 29, '65. 

Fish, George, d. June 27, '65. O. W. D. 

Fisk, Francis W., m. July 16, '65. 

Fitch, Charles M., d. June 30, '65. 

Fitzpatrick, John, d. June 28, '65. 

Foley, James, d. f. d. Oct. 22, '64. 

French, Orrin A., died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Jan. 1, '65. 

Frye, James, d. July 27, '65. 

Fuller, Herbert, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Feb. 20, '65. 

Garnett, William, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Oct. 6, '64. 

Graveling, Alexander, d ex. t. Sept. 1, '64. 

Grob, John, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Sept. 9, '64. 

Newton, Edwin H., m. July 16, '65. 

Ryan, Patrick, m. July 16, '65. 

Sausie, Camille, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Shattuck, Joseph C, d. June 30, '65. 



480 ROSTER 

Sheridan, Patrick, m. July 16, '65. 

Sherwood, Daniel, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Smith, Alfred, m. July 16, '65. 

Smith, George, m. July 16, '65. 

Smith, Henry, m. July 16, '65. 

Smith, Henry E., m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Smith, John, m. July 16, '65. 

Smith, John G., m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Squires, William, m. July 16, '65. 

Stevens, Nicholas, m. July 16, '65. 

Stone, Josiah, m. July 16, '65. 

Sullivan, Jeremiah J., m. July 16, '65. 

Swain, Robert B., deserted May 23, '65. 

Tell, William, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Timmins, John, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. July 29, '64. 

Vivarez, Jules, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Walsh, Thomas, d. f. d. June 20, '65. 
Wilson, George, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Wilson, William, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Wood, Charies, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 



COMPANY F 

Sergeants 
Adams, Charies H., 19, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 

Cane, Charies, 24, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, d. o. w. May 12, '64. 

Decker, Ferdinand, 19, Boston, transferred from Co. B, d. f. d. July 17, '64. 

Kelliher, John, 22, Bridgewater, July 26, '61, promoted 2d Lieut. Dec. 14, 62 
Kelly, Thomas H., 20, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Mar. 26, '63. 

Murphy, James, 26, Roxbury, July 26, '61, promoted 2d Lieut. Nov. 8, '61. 

O'Connor, Michael, 27, Ireland, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 26, '63. 
O'Donovan, Jeremiah, 27, Boston, Mar. 19, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Quigley, Frank, 28, Watertown, Sept. 4, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Oct. 20, '63. 

Ronan, John, 20, Cambridge, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 

Shea, Dennis, 19, Milford, July 26, '61, promoted 1st Lieut. Mar. 4, '64. 
Spencer, James H., 20, Taunton, Aug. 24, '61, pr. 1st Lieut. Sept. 9, '63. 



ROSTER 481 

Carforcds 
Gale, Moses H., 25, Bradford, Mar. 12, '62, d. July 14, '65. 

McLaughlin, Eugene, 44, Boston, Sept. 18, '61, d. o. w. July 20, '63. 
McNewland, Michael, 39, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 12, '62. 

Powers, John, 21, Roxbury, July 18, '61, k. May 6, '64. 

Musicians 
Forrest, James, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 28, '63. 

Hennessey, Thomas, 18, Dorchester, Apr. 2, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Mayo, Charles L., 16, Northboro, Feb. 25, '62, m. July 16, 'Qa. 

Privates 

Adams, John, 35, Essex, Aug. 17, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Albans, Eugene, 23, Dorchester, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Albert, William, 19, Boston. 

Alpen, Rudolph, 24, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, k. June 24, '64. 

Amende, John, 34, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, k. May 6, '64. 

Atwood, Anthony, 28, Aug. 23, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 26, '64. 

Bauer, Robert, 25, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Beck, John P., 42, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Bennett, John C, 22, W. Stockbridge, Apr. 27, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Berkeley, John, 22, Abington, Aug. 7, '63,' d. May 18, '65. O. W. D. 

Blood, Lyman R., 21, Watertown, Mar. 28, '64, k. Oct. 18, '64. 

Bochet, Hugo, 25, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Bragg, Edward F., 26, Roxbury, July 21, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 12, '61. 

Brenner, Michael, 19, Boston, Aug. 4, '63, d. f. d. Jan. 31, '63. 

Bresney, Michael, 21, Boston, Aug. 18, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 21, '62. 

Brogan, Dennis, 18, Milford, July 26, '61, tr. to Co. C, Sept. 3, '63. 

Brown, James, 21, Conway, July 18, '63, deserted Apr. 24, '64. 

Brown, John, 18, Boston, Eeb. 21, '62, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

Brual, Charles, 24, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Buck, Charles, 22, W. Stockbridge, Apr. 27, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Buckley, Timothy, 24, Canton, Aug. 11, '62, d. f. d. June 1, '63. 

Cain, John, 23, Lowell, July 18, '61, deserted Aug. 28, '61. 
Callaghan, Jeremiah, 25, Boston, Aug. 2, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 13, '62. 
Campbell, James, 30, Boston, Sept. 28, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 13, '63. 
Campbell, William, 24, Maiden, Feb. 22, '64, deserted Apr. 1, '64. 
Canang, James, 25, Boston, Aug. 5, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 28, '62. 
Carlin, John C, 21, Boston, July 26, '61. No further record. 
Carroll, James, 19, Ireland, Aug. 29, '61, d. ex. t. July 28, '64. 
Cass, Sunon, 41, Boston, Sept. 16, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 15, '64. 
Cassidy, Charles, 43, Charlestown, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 6, '62. 
Chaney, Leonard, 19, Blackstone, Mar. 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 



482 ROSTER 

Chaplin, Felix, 25, Barre, Apr. 2, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Chapman, George, 28, Fitchburg, July 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Chateauvert, Peter, 28, Boston, Mar. 11, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent in con- 
finement. 
Chism, William, 25, Salem, July 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Church, Stephen L., 38, Taunton, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 18, '62. 
ColUns, Dennis, 26, Boston, Aug. '62, tr. to Marine Corps, Aug. 19, '62. 
Colter, John S., 22, Needham, Aug. 1, '62, d. Dec. 18, '62. 
Conley, Michael, 30, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, deserted Aug. 18, '62. 
Connor, Thomas, 21, Middleboro, Aug. 8, '63, tr. to Navy, Apr. 23, '64. 
Constant, Francis, 23, Dorchester, Apr. 1, '64, d. July 6, '65. 
Cronin, John, 21, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, k. June 22, '64. 
Curtis, Henry, 26, W. Newbury, Dec. 2, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 15, '62. 

Daley, Daniel, 41, Boston, Aug. 7, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Aug. 22, '62. 

Daley, Daniel, 25, Boston, Aug. 30, '62, d. ex. t., Aug. 6, '64. 

Daley, John, 21, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Dec. 14, '62. 

Davis, Louis, 33, Dedham, Aug. 2, '61, d. Aug. 26, '61. 

De Boir, Frederick, 25, Raynham, Aug. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Decker, Anton, 18, Boston, transferred from Co. C, died May 21, '65. 

Devlin, John, 42, Cambridge, July 26, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Doherty, John F., 22, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 

Donovan, Daniel, 22, Boston, Aug. 16, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 

Downes, Timothy, 21, Lowell, Mar. 21, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. 

Feb. 9, '65. 
Downey, Thomas, 40, Boston, Aug. 9, '62, k. Dec. 13, '62. 
Downing, Patrick, 22, Boston, Aug. 30, '62, m. Aug. 1, '65. Absent sick. 
Doyle, Daniel, 20, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 7, '62. 
Doyle, John, 18, Boston, Aug. 12, '62, deserted Feb. 5, '65. 
Drummey, Patrick, 22, Lawrence, Aug. 30, '62, deserted Feb. 29, '64. 
Dugan, Timothy, 21, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, deserted July 4, '63. 
Duncan, George, 18, Fitchburg, July 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Dunn, Andrew, 33, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 16, '61. 

Barnes, Edwin H., 17, Milford, Aug. 2, '61, m. July 16, '65. 
Ellis, Andrew S., 27, Nantucket, Aug. 14, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 24, '63. 

Farren, John, 25, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 

Fee, Patrick, 21, Boston, Aug. 27, '62, d. f. d. Apr. 8, '64. 

Fisher, Edward, 27, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, tr. to Co. E. * 

Flynn, James, 26, Boston, Aug. 6, '62, m. July 16, '65. 

Flynn, Miles, 29, Milford, July 26, '61, deserted Dec. 4, '61. 

Frendengburg, Edward H., 19, Wellfleet, July 21, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent 

sick. 
Fulmer, Robert, 20, Lawrence, July 8, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Gallen, Michael, 33, Milford, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 3, '63. 

Garharet, Francis, 45, Roxbury, Aug. 8, '61, tr. to Co. B. 

Gennere, Lewis, 20, Montague, July 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 



ROSTER 483 

Gepp, Henry, 26, Boston, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Oilman, Levi, 26, Roxbury, Sept. 30, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 11, '63. 
Gilmore, Thomas, 35, Boston, Feb. 11, '65, m. July 16, '65. 
Gray, Thomas R., 35, Boston, July 26, '61, d. ex. t. July 21, '64. 
Gulwin, Thomas R., 35, Palmer, July 18, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Haines, George, 35, Barre, Apr. 2, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Hall, James, 28, Boston, Apr. 21, '64, deserted July 2, '65. 
Hancock, John, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 28, '62. 
Harrington, Timothy, 31, Boston, Aug. 12, '62, dishonorably d. by G. C. M. 

June 24, '63. 
Harris, Robert C, 34, Barre, Aug. 5, '62, d. f. d. Nov. 10, '62. 
Hartnett, Timothy, 44, Boston, Aug. 9, '62, d. f. d. Nov. 9, '63. 
Heine, Heinrich, 21, Gloucester, Aug. 9, '63, deserted Sept. 20, '63. 
Held, Otto, 24, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Hermon, Louis, 19, Boston, Feb. 29, '64, d. o. w. July 30, '64. 
Hooper, Nathaniel P., 21, Boston, Sept. 16, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
Huffman, William, 33, Athol, Apr. 4, '64, tr. to V. R. C. 
Hughes, Arthur, 22, Georgetown, July 26, '61, d. ex. t. July 21, '64. 
Huitte, Patrick, 18, Boston, tr. from Co. C, d. May 29, '65. O. W. D. 

Ingalls, William H., 24, Boston, tr. from Co. E, d. f. d. Aug. 1, '64. 

Jacobsen, Carsten, 31, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Jenkins, Edward W., 25, Taunton, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 4, '63. 
Johnston, Arthur, 34, Boston, tr. from Co. E, m. July 16, '65. , 

Joy, Thomas, 26, Holliston, Apr. 6, '64, deserted July 23, '64. 
Junghaw, August, 30, Boston, tr. from Co. C, June 13, '65, m. July 16, '65. 

Kalleher, Cornehus, 23, Cambridge, July 22, '62, d. June 29, '65. 

Keefe, John, 19, Boston, Aug. 2, '61, m. July 28, '65. 

Keefe, Peter, 20, Boston, Aug. 24, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Kelly, Charles, 24, W. Newbury, Dec. 2, '62, deserted Dec. 14, '62. 

Kelly, John H., 37, Boston, Oct. 17, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 15, '64. 

Kelly, Thomas, 20, Charlestown, Aug. 11, '62, died Jan. 5, '63. 

Kendall, John H., 40, Boston, Aug. 14, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '62. 

Kenny, Patrick, 21, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 

Kettendorf, Augustus, 21, Roxbury, Oct. 5, '61, d. ex. t. July 21, '64. 

Kief, Patrick, 42, Boston, July 25, '62, d. f. d. Oct. 10, '62. 

King, Thomas A., 23, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Apr. 24, '64. 

Koch, Martin, 42, Roxbury, Aug. 14, '62, m. July 16, '65.^ Absent sick. 

Lane, James, 45, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, k. July 3, '63. 

Lawler, Christopher, 22, Boston, Aug. 29, '61. No further record. 

Leahy, Patrick, 24, Boston, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 18, '63. 

Ledu, Robert, 27, July 26, '61, tr, to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 

Lehy, John, 45, Stoneham, Aug. 14, '62, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 

Leonard, David, 22, Boston, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Oct. 27, '63. 

Leslie, Charles E., 21, Boston, Feb. 19, '64. Absent sick since May 21, '64. 



484 ROSTER 

Letty, Robert, 21, Boston, Sept. 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Nov. 16, '62. 

Lewis, Henry P., 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Locke, Levi, 23, Boston, Feb. 29, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

McGregor, James, 34, Boston, Aug. 23, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '62. 
McGuire, James, 21, Ashland, Mar. 4, '62, d. f. d. May 23, '63. 
McGuire, Thomas, 18, Boston, d. f. d. Apr. 10, '63. 
McLean, John, 23, Roxbury, Aug. 24, '61, d. o. w. July 20, '63. 
McMann, James, 18, Boston, Oct. 8, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 5, '63. 
McManus, Patrick, 30, Charlestown, Oct. 26, '63, tr. to V. R. C. June 30, '65. 
McMurray, James, 21, Lawrence, July 11, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
McVey, John F., 31, Roxbury, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 15, '62. 
Manning, Thomas, 19, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 
Marshall, William, 21, Falmouth, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Mattrer, Lewis, 21, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Meaney, William, 22, Charlestown, Aug. 1, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Oct. 26, '63. 
Mennig, Christian, 22, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Mitchell, William, 27, Roxbury, Feb. 25, '64, discharged from confinement, 

Apr. 10, '66. 
Mulroy, Martin, 33, Boston, July 26, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 
Myatt, Charles, 16, Grafton, Aug. 3, '63, k. May 6, '64. 

Nary, John, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 10, '62. 
Nary, John, 41, Boston, July 21, '62, d. f. d. Oct. 11, '62. 

O'Bripn, Daniel, 35, July 26, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. ' 

O'Connor, Dennis, 24, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, d. Apr. 5, '65. 

O'Connor, Patrick, 27, July 26, '61, tr. to Co. A. 

O'Hearn, Patrick, 18, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 28, '63. 

Ohlenschlager, William, 23, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Oliver, Samuel K., 25, Milford, July 26, '61, d. ex. t. July 21, '64. 

Otto, Adam, 21, E. Bridgewater, Aug. 7, '63, tr. to Co. H. 

Otto, Simon, 19, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, tr. to Co. C. 

Parra, John, 22, Worcester^ July 24, '63, died Mar. 13, '64. 
Patterson, William, 20, Boston, tr. from Co. H, deserted Aug. 20, '63. 
Pedere, Patrick, 19, Milford, July 26, '61, m. Aug. 6, '64. 
Parcel], Michael, 39, Boston, Aug. 20, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 16, '63. 

Quinlan, Patrick, 28, Boston, July 18, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Rahe, Herrman, 31, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Ranch, Lewis, 33, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. July 24, '65. 
Ready, Michael, 32, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 4, '63. 
Reagg, Mathias, 36, Springfield, July 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Riley, Felix, 19, July 26, '61, d. o. w. July 20, '63. 
Riley, John, 38, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 28, '62. 
Roach, Martin, 42, Boston, July 23, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 17, '63. 
Roach, Matthew, 35, Boston, Aug. 4, '62, d. f. d. Nov. 10, '62. 



ROSTER 485 

Rockman, Frederick, 39, Northampton, June 6,'64, m. July 16,'65. Absent sick. 

Rose, Louis, 25, Medford, Aug. 7, '63, tr. to V. R. C. 

Rosenan, Charles, 22, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Ross, James, 19, Salisbury, Aug. 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Rowland, Morris, 24, Roxbury, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 3, '63. 

Russell, George W., 20, Barre, Apr. 2, '64, dishonorably d. 

Santer, Christopher, 22, Boston, Aug. 27, '61, died June 17, '62. 

Schoeffle, John J., 24, Roxbury, Aug. 21, '61, d. ex. t. June 22, '64. 

Schwabe, Henry, 35, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Seaver, James, 21, Charlestown, Aug. 2, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 

Shields, Farrell, 22, Colrain, tr. from Co. A, deserted Sept. 20, '63. 

Slocumb, Robert, 23, Greenfield, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Smith, James, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Navy. 

Smith, James, 32, Northbridge, Aug. 3, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Smith, James, 19, Boston, Sept. 11, '61, died June 17, '62. 

Smith, John, 18, Ireland, July 18, '61, d. o. w. June 29, '64. 

Sternberg, Henry F., 29, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Sullivan, Eugene, 19, Boston, Aug. 20, '62, d. Jan. 15, '65. 

Sullivan, James, 40, Boston, Apr. 1, '62, k. Dec. 13, '62. 

Sullivan, Michael J., 19, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 17, '62. 

Thompson, Josephus, 38, Abington, July 18, '61, d. f. d. June 17, '62. 
Tolbert, William E., 18, Ashfield, Mar. 30, '64, k. June 24, '64. 
Torrance, Moses, 21, Boston, May 11, '64, deserted Jan. 27, '65. 
Trembly, Christopher, 35, Tisbury, tr. from Co. C. Jmie 13, '65, m. July 16, 

'65. Absent sick. 
True, Charles B., 21, Boston, Sept. 18, '62, deserted Feb. 2, '63. 
Twiggs, Thomas, 19, Ireland, Aug. 2, '61, d. Aug. 1, '64. 

Unreihn, Carl, 20, tr. from Co. C. Jmie 15, '65, m. July 16, '65. 

Veillard, John, 35, Boston, tr. from Co. B., d. July 1, '65. O. W. D. 

Wade, Terrence, 21, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, deserted Aug. 16, '63. 

Walker, John, 20, Gloucester, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Oct. 6, '63. 

Walton, Charles, 23, Springfield, July 1, '64, d. Aug. 21, '65. 

Ward, Thomas L., 21, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 20, '64. 

Warren, George, 23, Ashfield, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Wells, John, 23, Boston, Aug. 4, '62, d. June 8, '65. 

Welsh, George, 21, Boston, July 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

White, William, 23, Boston, July 28, '62, d. from confinement by order G. 

C. M. July 24, '65. 
Williams, Evan, 26, Quincy, Aug. 27, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 18, '63. 
Williams, Ribert, 25, Barnstable, July 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Wilson, John, 38, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 9, '63. 
Wilson, Maurice, 28, Charlestown, tr. from Co. E., d. ex. t. July 21, '64. 
Woodman, Thomas, 25, Boston, Aug. 30, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 

Zeitz, Herman, 28, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, missing since May 5, '64. 



486 ROSTER 

Transfehred from the Nineteenth Massachusetts on January 14, 

1864 

Corporal 
Bartley, Frank, m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 
Crawford, Duncan, tr. to Navy Apr. 23, '64. 

Davis, John, tr. to Navy Apr. 23, '64. 
Doherty, Edward C, m. July 16, '65. 

Ferguson, Charles, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Fischer, John, tr. to Navy Apr. 23, '64. 

Gahagan, Nicholas, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Green, Andrew B., d. f. d. Aug. 17, '64. 

Hagedon, Heinrich, d. July 3, '65. 

Johnson, William, m. July 16, '65. 

Perkins, Hazen K., d. June 21, '65. 

Rinaldo, John B., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Waldeck, Louis, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Waters, Thomas, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Williams, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent in confinement. 

Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on Jxh^t 27, 1864 

Privates 

Maguire, Terrance, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Maxwell, Charles S., d. June 22, '65. 
Murphy, James, tr. to Navy Apr. 23, '64. 

COMPANY G 

Sergeants 

Beckwith, Robert S., 21, Aug. 24, '61, pro. Sergt. Maj. June 22, '62. 
Bugney, George A., 22, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. I Sept. 8, '61. 

McKay, Thomas M., 24, Boston, Aug. 24, '61, pro. 2d Lieut. Sept. 5, '62. 
Mellen, Emery A., 24, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, drowned Oct. 21, '61. 

Robinson, Charles H., 22, Reading, Aug. 30, '61, pro. Sergt. Maj. Oct. 1, '62. 



ROSTER 487 

Walker, William N., 20, Nov. 1, '62, pro. Sergt. Maj. Sept. 17, '62. 
Walsh, Patrick, 25, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Mar. 31, '63. 

Corporals 
Allen, Frederick S., 20, New Bedford, July 18, '61, d. o. w. Oct. 25, '62. 

Handley, Herbert, 21, New Bedford, July 18, '61, accidentally killed Sept. 4, 

'61. 
Hariow, Reuben, 42, Easton, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 20, '61. 

Jones, Charles E., 22, Gloucester, Aug. 7, '63, k. May 5, '64. 

Powers, John, 29, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1. 

Simpson, George E., 25, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Tripp, Ebenezer, 30, Mattapoisett, Aug. 2, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Waite, Reuben H., 23, New Bedford, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 3, '63. 
White, John, 28, New Bedford, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 6, '63 as private. 

Yeager, Joseph, 19, New Bedford, Aug. 12, '61, m. July 16, '61. 

Musician 
Lovejoy, Joseph, 18, Lowell, July 18, '61, pro. Principal Musician Sept. 1, '63. 

Wagoners 
Draper, Daniel H., 35, Milford, Aug. 24, '61, tr. to Co. D. 

Tripp, John Q. A., 35, Wareham, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 18, '63. 

Privates 

Aie, George, 24, Springfield, July 11, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 
Armstrong, James, 22, Springfield, July 11, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 

Barry, Edward, 31, Boston, July 18, '61, killed July 2, '63. 

Barry, Edward, 23, Lowell, July 18, '61, deserted Aug. 25, '61. 

Bemeuher, Frank A., 43, New Bedford, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 15, 

'63. 
BLxby, Henry, 31, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. May 29, '62. 
Boyer, William, 22, Springfield, July 11, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 
• Brunt, John, 33, Athol, Apr. 2, '64, missing since June 4, '64. 
Buassahan, Timothy, 38, Boston, Dec. 11, '62, d. f. d. Aug. 30, '62. 
Burke, Patrick L., 35, Boston, Aug. 2, '61, d. o. w. Nov. 18, '61. 

Chase, Ezra D., 21, New Bedford, July 18, '61, k. June 9, '64. 
Coughlin, Patrick, 20, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. H. 
Coyne, Joseph, 30, Greenfield, m. July 16, '65. 
Crowley, Patrick, 19, Lowell, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. B. 
Cue, Owen, 20, Bloomfield, July 10, '61, k. May 6, '64. 



488 ROSTER 

Dolan, John, 35, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. May 3, '62. 
Driscoll, John, 18, Boston, Dec. 11, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 7, '63. 
Dunbrack, George G., 39, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 16, '61. 

Franklin, James, 21, Roxbury, Apr. 13, '64, missing since June 4, '64. 

Galvin, Timothy, 35, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 16, '61. 
Gilman, Edward G., 35, New Bedford, Aug. 2, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 1, '62. 
Glacken, Thomas, 18, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. D. 
Good, William, 21, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Aug. 6, '61. 
Goodman, John, 37, Braintree, Sept. 4, '61, d. ex. t. Sept. 3, '64. 
Griffa, Guiseppa, 30, Boston, July 31, '63, m. July 16, '65. 
Griffin, John H., 30, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Aug. 10, '61. 
Griffin, Lawrence, 21, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Hanley, Patrick, 21, Lakeville, Aug. 8, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 9, '63. 

Hardman, James, 27, Salem, July 3, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Hawes, William, 21, Medway, July 18, '61, deserted June 30, '63. 

Hayes, James, 21, Boston, July 4, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 15, '63. 

Hoffman, Henry, 27, m. July 16, '65. 

Holzheimer, Caspar, 36, Marion, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 25, '63. 

Home, James, 43, Greenfield, July 18, '63, k. May 12, '64. 

Howe, James, 35, Marblehead, Aug. 30, '61, d. f. d. May 7, '63. 

Hunt, Charles H., 20, New Bedford, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. H. July 1, '65. 

Jackson, John, 41, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, missing since May 6, '64. 

Jenny, Charles M., 19, Fairhaven, Dec. 13, '61, died Aug. 1, '62. 

Johnston, William A., 22, Lowell, Feb. 14, '62, k. May 18, '64. 

Jones, George H., 19, Springfield, transferred from Co. A, deserted July 17, '63. 

Kavanaugh, Bernard, 19, July 18, '61, died Aug. 24, '62. 

Kelly, Edward, 22, Ashfield, July 18, '63, deserted Mar. 6, '64. 

Kelly, John, 21, Fitchburg, July 11, '64, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C, 

Oct. 24, '64. 
Kelly, Robert, 27, Millbury, Aug. 5, '63, k. May, '64. 
Kennedy, James, 26, Boston, Sept. 11, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 7, '62. 
Kilpatrick, William, 22, Marblehead, Aug. 7, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 9, '63. 
Kingsley, Joseph B., 41, Roxbury, Sept. 11, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 7, '62. 
Krook, Lambertus W., 19, Reading, Feb. 11, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 15, '64. 

Laflin, Hiram, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Lawson, George, 37, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 14, '63. 

Lechbriun, Christian, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, d. f. d. Feb. 6, '65. 

Leeming, James, 28, Marion, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Dec. 9, '63. 

Lewis, Charles C, 22, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64, given furlough for 30 days on 

Jan. 2, '65. No further record. 
Lively, John, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Aug. 26, '61. 

McAuliffe, Cornelius, 18, Boston, Mar. 2, '64, d. f. d. Apr. 26, '64. 
McCormick, John A., 23, Greenfield, July 2, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 



ROSTER 489 

McCoy, Michael, 33, Marblehead, Feb. 21, '62, died Aug. 26, '62. 

McDonald, Angus, 24, Melrose, Dec. 18, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 20, '62. 

McDonough, Patrick, 31, Boston, Aug. 8, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

McFaul, Thomas, 30, Maiden, May 20, '64, k. June 22, '64. 

McGinness, James, 23, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted July 17, '63. 

McGoldrick, John, 40, Roxbury, Aug. 2, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

McKay, John P., 30, Boston, Aug. 24, '61, drowned Oct. 21, '61. 

McLaughlin, Thomas, 22, New Bedford, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Feb. 17, '64. 

McNabb, Thomas, 30, Springfield, July 9, '63, dropped June 12, '65. 

Madigan, James, 30, Wareham, Dec. 1, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 6, '62. 

Marsh, William, 21, Carver, Aug. 5, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 9, '63. 

Marshall, James L., 23, Boston, Aug. 2, '62, deserted Aug. 26, '62. 

Meader, George H., 18, Aug. 8, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Metro, William, 22, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, missing since May 5, '64. 

Miller, Carl, 26, Medford, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Sept. 25, '63. 

Miller, Like, 32, New Bedford, Aug. 8, '61, died a prisoner at Andersonville, 

Ga., Oct. 1, '64. 
Moran, James, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Nov. 3, '62. 
Murphy, John, 22, Boston, Oct. 15, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 9, '63. 

Noonan, Edward, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. C. 
Noonan, John, 39, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 21, '65. 

O'Brien, James, 27, Boston, Aug. 18, '62, k. July 2, '63. 
Owens, Felix, 22, New Bedford, July 18, '61, no further record. 

Patty, Michael, 20, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 19, '63. 

Paulett, Albert A., 21, Boston, Mar. 24, '62, d. June 27, '65. O. W. D. 

Paulin, Samuel K., 25, Beverly, Mar. 24, '62, d. f. d. Oct. 14, '62. 

Peckham, Anson P., 20, Dana, Jan. 2, '64, died a prisoner at Andersonville, 
Ga., Aug. 22, '64. 

Peitz, Henry C. A., 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Pentonay, Michael, 40, Boston, Dec. 17, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 9, '63. 

Perry, Oscar S., 18, Yarmouth, Mar. 9, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Pitts, George W., 28, Taunton, July 30, '63, deserted Oct. '64. 

Pontius, Frederick A., 29, Somerset, July 29, '63, died a prisoner at Ander- 
sonville, Ga., Oct. 17, '64. 

Prince, James, 19, Whateley, June 30, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 

Quinlan, Patrick, 30, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 2, '63. 

Roach, Daniel J., 21, Boston, July 18, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 
Root, David, 21, W. Stockbridge, Dec. 15, '61, k. June 20, '63. 
Russell, James, 21, LjTin, July 12, '64, dropped June 12, '65. 
Ryan. William, 30, Boston, July 15, '63, no further record. 

Sawyer, Alvin, 19, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 20, '61. 

Shine, Dennis, 22, Boston, July 18, '61, k. Oct. 1, '61. 

Simpson, George E., 19, New Bedford, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 4, '62. 



490 ROSTER 

Smith, John, 45, July 18, '61, d. Aug. 16, '61. 

Stetson, Alonzo L., 23, Randolph, Mar. 12, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 29, '63. 

Sweeney, Morgan, 20, Boston, Aug. 16, '62, k. July 2, '63. 

Trener, Frank, 25, Boston, Mar. 5, '64, deserted Mar. 28, '64. 

Walch, David, 23, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 8, '63. 
Wells, John, 21, Ashland, Sept. 19, '64, d. Jime 8, '65. O. W. D. 
Whiting, Hiram L., 35, Abington, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 29, '63. 
Whitney, Bernard, 24, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 

Transferred from the Nineteenth Massachusetts on January 14, 

1864. 

Privates 

Casey, Edward A., dropped June 12, '65. 
Conlace, John, dropped June 12, '65. 

White, Joseph A., died Mar. 11, '64. 

Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on July 27, 1864 

Sergeants 

Harty, Patrick, d. June 2, '65. 
Houghton, Henry, d. f. d. July 10, '65. 

Kinkup, James S., promoted Oct. 1, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Logue, John S., m. July 16, '65. 

Corporals 
Gibson, James B., m. July 16, '65. 

Hawley, George A., d. Dec. 10, '64. 

Wallace, David O., died a prisoner at Florence, S. C, Feb. 4, '65. 

Wagoner 
Whittemore, Henry S., m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 

Alger, Warren H., died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., Aug. '64. 
Allen, Thomas, m. July 16, '65. 

Cutler, Charles H., tr. to V. R. C. June 26, '65. 

Gee, Edward G., d. June 7, '65. O. W. D. 

Givan, John C, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., Oct. 6, '64. 



ROSTER 491 

Gleason, Josiah, d. July 20, '65. 

Goodwin, Alfred M., died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C, Sept. 1, '64. 

Goulding, Edwin. 

Gowbig, Herman, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Greenleaf, Ezra L., m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Greenwood, Henry, tr. to Signal Corps. 

Guilfoyle, Daniel, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Dec. 15, '64. 

Heath, Alfred B., m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Hickson, Richard, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Hodge, Abram, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Hudson, Archibald B., d. July 24, '65. 
Hunt, Joseph, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Hurlbiul, Charles H., m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Johnson, Richard M., m. July 16, '65. 
Joy, Emory W., m. July 16, '65. 

Keenan, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Kinkup, James S., pr. Sergt. Oct. 1, '64. 

Lake, John G., d. May 21, '65. O. W. D. 

Lamb, Charles H., m. July 16, '65. 

Langdon, Horace G., d. May 3, '65. O. W. D. 

Lawler, William, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Lawrence, Walter, tr. to V. R. C. 

Lines, William, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Lyon, James, m. July 16, '65. 

McCouche, George, tr. to V. R. C. Apr. 17, '65. 

McCue, John, d. May 30, '65. O. W. D. 

McGovern, Daniel, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

McHugh, Patrick, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Mclnness, Daniel, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Mclntire, Orlando, m. July 16, '65. 

McKnight, Adam, m. July 16, '65. 

McLean, Archibald, m. July 16, '65. Absent. 

McNulty, Patrick, m. July 16, '65. 

Madden, Robert, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Maier, Herman, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Maley, Robert, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Maple, Frederick T., m. July 16, '65. 

Martin, John, m. July 16, '65. 

Mason, Joseph, d. f. d. Mar. 18, '65. 

May, Charles F., d. July 13, '65. 

Mayer, Henry, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Merrificld, Frank H., m. July 16, '65. 

Moran, Thomas, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Morath, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 



492 ROSTER 

More, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Moulton, Harrison, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Jan. 25, '65. 
Mulvaney, Patrick, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Dec. 10, '64. 
Murphy, John 2d, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Newcomb, George B., died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Aug. 27, '64. 
Newton, Oliver W., d. f. d. July 5, '65. 

O'Brien, Robert, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

O'Connell, John J., died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Nov. 27, '64. 

O'Neil, Joseph, m. July 16, '65. Absent woimded. 

Peacock, Adam, m. July 16, '65. 
Pecot, Joseph, d. ex. t. Jan. 28, '65. 
Pope, Francis C., died Feb. 15, '65. 

Quinn, James, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. July 29, '64. 

Raphel, Charles, deserted Dec. 31, '63, as of Co. G, 20th. 

Rattigan, Patrick, m. July 16, '65. 

Ray, James, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Reed, Henry, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Riley, Terrance, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Ritter, Charles, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Ryan, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Spicer, Alexander, d. June 21, '65. O. W. D. 

COMPANY H 

Sergeants 
Armstrong, Thomas, 19, Andover, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 20, '63. 

Burrill, Henry C, 31, Lynn, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 8, '63. 

Doyle, John, 19, Marblehead, Aug. 23, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Keith, Friend H., 33, Thomaston, Me., Aug. 24, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

Longfellow, Stephen, 28, Brookline, Sept. 5, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 30, '65. 

Hunt, Charles H., 20, Cambridge, tr. from Co. G, July 1, '65, m. July 16, '65. 

Pousland, Thomas J., 36, Beverly, Aug. 21, '61, pr. 2d Lieut. Apr. 12, '62. 
Powers, William, 21, Canton, Aug. 15, '61, d. July 18, '64. 

Reid, William H. P., 36, Nashua, N. H., July 18, '61, deserted Mar. '62. 

White, George, 23, Cambridge, Aug. 23, '61, deserted Aug. 27, '63. 



ROSTER 493 

Corporals 
Coughlin, Patrick, 20, Boston, tr. from Co. G, d. f. d. July 14, '65. 

Fairbanks, Henry A., 19, Haverhill, Sept. 4, '61, k. May 6, '64. 
Fraser, Joshua H., 23, Boston, Aug. 24, '61, d. Aug. 24, '64. 

Johnson, John K., 25, Montgomery, Vt., July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 27, '63. 

McCarty, Charles, 22, Boston, Feb. 22, '62, m. July 16, '65. 

Powers, John C, 26, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. June 12, '63. 

Powers, Joseph B., 32, Marblehead, Sept. 4, '64, d. f. d. Jan. 9, '63. 

Musicians 
Gallagher, Edward, 20, Boston, May 2, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Stevens, John, 18, Topsfield, Aug. 23, '61, died a prisoner at Florence, S. C. 
Date or cause of death not known. 

Wagoner 
Heath, Reuben P., 33, Haverhill, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 1, '62. 

Privates 

Ackerson, Alpheus, 26, Cambridge, Aug. 14, '61, deserted Feb. 2, '63. 
Allbright, Henry, 32, Reading, Pa., Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 3, '63. 
Alley, Jacob H., 27, Marblehead, Aug. 24, '61, died Mar. 12, '62. 
Alley, Nathaniel Q., 44, Lynn, Sept. 23, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 21, '63. 
Armington, Josiah, 35, Harwich, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 4, '62. 

Babcock, George W., 27, Beverly, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 13, '62. 

Balch, George W., 23, Haverhill, Dec. 31, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 20, '63. 

Barron, James, 23, Aug. 6, '63, d. June 11, '65. O. W. D. 

Bertha, Carl, 27, July 1, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Blain, Hugh, 33, Boston, July 3, '62, k. July 3, '63. 

Blood, Nathan W., Jr., 35, Boston, Dec. 31, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 25, '62. 

Bosworth, Eliphalet W., 26, New York, July 17, '62, died of disease, Oct. 21, 

'62. 
Brewer, Henry W., 20, Worcester, Sept. 4, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 
Briggs, Edwin F., 20, Boston, Oct. 8, '61. No further record. 
Busham, George, 21, July 4, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Busner, James, 33, July 12, '64, d. Apr. 28, '65. 

Callahan, Charles H., 28, Andover, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 14, '62. 
Carroll, George H., 23, Lynn, Aug. 6, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 25, '62. 
Caruthers, Noble, 45, Boston, Aug. 16, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 5, '63. 
Clancy, Maurice, 35, Boston, Aug. 29, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 11, '63. 
Clark, James, 23, Canton, Aug. 4, '61, deserted Oct. 10, '62. 
Cofran, Smith W., 21, Northfield, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 12, '63. 



494 ROSTER 

Colby, Shern, 28, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 
Collins, Stephen, 39, Boston, Aug. 29, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 5, '63. 
Cook, Sylvester, 35, Cheshire, Sept. 1, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 30, '62. 
Corbett, John, 38, Pittsfield, Sept. 1, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 25, '62. 
Cowgill, Charles, 25, Aug. 29, '61, pr. 2d Lieut. Dec. 14, '62. 
Coyle, William, 33, Boston, July 2, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Cressey, Leonard, 18, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, k. Sept. 17, '62. 
Curtis, Isaac, 44, Roxbury, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 10, '63. 
Curtis, Isaac, Jr., 16, Roxbury, Feb. 14, '62, d. f. d. Aug. 30, '62. 

Daly, Thomas, 19, Boston, May 10, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 10, '63. 

Davis, Frank W., 26, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 21, '63. 

Day, John T., 35, Cambridge, Aug. 10, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 

Devlin, Alexander, 30, Lynn, Dec. 31, '61, d. o. w. June 2, '62. 

Dixon, David, 23, Newton, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 10, '61. 

Donahue, Cornelius, 25, Lawrence, Aug. 7, '61, dishonorably d. Mar. 16, '65. 

O. W. D. 
Donnelly, Thomas, 22, HoUiston, July 17, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
Donovan, Thomas, 38, Cambridge, Sept. 4, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 27, '64. . 
Douglas, William, 22, Boston, June 22, '62, d. Apr. 28, '65. 
Douglas, William S., 21, Randolph, Jan. 30, '62, deserted Dec. 2, '62. 
Duffie, William, 28, Topsfield, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 
Duffin, Thomas, 23, S. Reading, Jan. 17, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Dunn, Edward P., 22, Boston, July 26, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 
Dwyer, John, 26, Boston, July 24, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Early, Edward, 18, Boston, Dec. 28, '61, d. ex. t. Dec. 29, '64. 
Evans, Richard, 22, Boston, Apr. 18, '64, k. May 7, '64. 

Fahey, John, 22, Walpole, Aug. 8, '61, deserted Aug. 22, '61. 

Feathergill, George W., 44, Pittsfield, Dec. 26, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 25, '63. 

Feeley, Patrick, 22, Boston, July 13, '64, d. Aug. 17, '65. 

Flanders, George C, 28, Concord, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 30, '62. 

Flyim, John, 18, Reading, Aug. 24, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Foley, Daniel, 21, Abington, Aug. 1, '61, d. f. d. July 8, '64. 

Foley, Patrick, 24, Boston, July 13, '64, d. Apr. 28, '65. 

Foley, Patrick, 21, Mar. 14, '62, deserted July 28, '62. 

Folsom, Eben H., 40, Aug. 23, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 23, '64. 

Folsom, James, 27, Roxbury, Oct. 15, '61, d. ex. t. Oct. 10, '64. 

Folsom, Hillman, 25, Roxbury, Oct. 15, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 23, '64. 

Ford, Edwin C, 22, W. Roxbury, Jan. 30, '62, d. ex. t. July 28, '65. 

Ford, John C, 26, Abington, Dec. 31, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 1, '62. 

Foster, Charles A., 18, Aug. 30, '61, k. June 1, '62. 

French, James, 21, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

French, WilHam, Jr., 43, Pittsfield, Dec. 26, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 14, '62. 

Gardner, Richard L., 35, Marblehead, Sept. 4, '61, d. o. w. May 16, '64. 
Gihnan, Edward, 42, Boston, Aug. 2, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 2, '64. 
Goodwin, Gardner, 20, Marblehead, Aug. 28, '62, d, o. w. May 20, '64. 



ROSTER 495 

Gordon, Samuel H., 23, Lynn, Aug. 26, '61, m. July 16, '65. 
Graham, Thomas, 21, Boston, Dec. 18, '61, deserted Feb. 2, '63. 
Green, Robert, 23, Boston, July 18, '61, m. July 16, '65. 
Grieve, Robert, 21, Marblehead, Feb. 19, '62, d. o. w. June 29, '62. 

Haley, John, 32, Lynn, July 18, '61, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Hall, Austin, 18, Boston, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 26, '63. 

Hamblin, Leander D., 20, Watertown, Dec. 26, '61, deserted July 1, '63. 

Haridy, John, 34, Boston, Dec. 13, '61, d. ex. t. Dec. 13, '64. 

Harkins, Bernard, 33, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 23, '63. 

Harvey, Thomas, 23, Boston, July 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Hathaway, William, 18, Chelsea, July 31, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 1, '62. 

Homer, William H., 17, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Hood, John C, 26, Boston, Dec. 31, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 13, '62. 

Hopkins, John, 21, L-eland, Aug. 15, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 15, '62. 

Horan, John, 28, Watertown, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 

Hutchins, WiUiam F., 18, Boston, Aug. 2, '62, died Nov. 18, '62. 

Ingalls, Abner, 21, Lynn, Aug. 18, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 20, '62. 

James, George, 23, Boston, July 31, '63, absent sick since Oct. 10, '64. No 
further record. 

Kane, Patrick, 30, Boston, July 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Kearny, WilUam, 33, Cambridge, Aug. 21, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 26, '62. 

Kelty, Peter, 21, Cambridge, July 24, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 19, '63. 

Kennedy, Martin, 24, Boston, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. July 18, '62. 

Kenny, Daniel, 22, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, d. June 5, '65. 

Kershaw, Samuel, 30, Salem, Dec. 13, '61, d. Mar. 23, '63. 

Kerwick, Andrew, 21, Cambridge, Aug. 21, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 5, '63. 

Kief, John, 21, Lonsdale, R. I., Aug. 4, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 3, '64. 

Kirby, Benjamin, 44, Boston, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 24, '63. 

Kirk, James, 21, Boston, Dec. 26, '61, d. ex. t. Dec. 29, '64. 

Krook, Mathias H., 18, Cambridge, Feb. 11, '62, d. Feb. 17, '64. 

Lane, Andrew J., 24, Sandwich, Sept. 23, '62, deserted July 1, '63. 

Leach, George W., 30, Boston, Sept. 1, '62, pr. Sergt. Maj. May 24, '63. 

Lee, John, 27, New Bedford, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Leonard, John, 29, Boston, Aug. 5, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 30, '63. 

Lew, Thomas, 33, Pittsfield, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 5, '62. 

Littlejohn, John, 21, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Long, Edward, 20, Abington, Aug. 7, '63, d. to accept commission in 15th 

U. S. C. T. May 10, '65. 
Lucas. Frederick A., 30, Saco, Me., Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 7, '63. 
Lynch, James, 26, Boston, Aug. 23, '61, died of disease Dec. 7, '62. 
Lyons, John W., 24, Randolph, Jan. 30, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 28, '64. 

McAlerey, Charles, 18, Boston, Aug. 25, '62, d. May 20, '62. 
McCafferty, Neal, 21, Salem, Dec. 31, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 28. '62. 



496 ROSTER 

McCarty, Thomas, 22, Boston, July 13, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

McDonald, George H., 30, Bangor, Me., July 18, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

McDonough, Michael, 32, Boston, Aug. 9, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 

McGuire, John, 22, Taunton, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Nov. 12, '63. 

McKenna, James, 25, Boston, Aug. 4, '61, deserted Aug. 27, '62. 

McKenney, Robert, 32, Danvers, Dec. 20, '61, d. July 27, '65. 

McNamara, Michael, 27, Salem, Dec. 23, '61, d. o. w. Oct. 15, '62. 

McPhee, Donald, 26, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 21, '63. 

Mack, Thomas F., 35, Waltham, July 24, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 5, '62. 

Mahoney, James, 19, Cambridge, Apr. 1, '62, m. July 16, '65. 

Marshall, Joseph, Jr., 19, Boston, Mar. 9, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Merrigan, John, 22, Halifax, Aug. 8, '63, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 4, '63. 

Merrill, John H., 40, Boston, Sept. 3, '62, k. May 6, '64. 

Monahan, Cornelius, 35, Fitchburg, Sept. 15, '61, tr. to V. R. C. 

Morrill, John W., 21, Aug. 29, '61, m. Aug. 28, '64. 

Murray, James A., 24, Lynn, Aug. 21, '61, deserted Aug. 27, '62. 

Murray, Patrick, 25, Worcester, Aug. 5, '63, d. July 27, '65. 

Neary, John, 21, Barnstable, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Nelligan, Michael, 21, Wareham, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Newell, Charles O., 18, Salem, Aug. 1, '61, tr. to Co. I. 

Nolan, William, 24, Springfield, July 11, '64, d. Apr. 28, '65. 

O'Brien, Thomas, 21, Gloucester, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 1, '63. 

O'Connor, Daniel, 42, Boston, July 21, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 1, '63. 

Oliver, Thomas, 32, Marblehead, Sept. 4, '61, died a prisoner at Anderson- 

ville, Ga., Feb. 22, '64. 
Ott, Adam, 21, N. Bridgewater, tr. from Co. F, d. Apr. 28, '65. 
Otto, Adolph, 35, Barnstable, Aug. 5, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 12, '63. 

Paffrath, Albert, 21, Dennis, Aug. 5, '63, k. May 6, '64. 

Pajol, Louis, 28, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Sept. 30, '63. 

Patterson, William, 20, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. F. 

Perry, John, 25, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, died Mar. 23, '64. 

Pervere, George W., 21, Haverhill, Aug. 8, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 7, '63. 

Pervere, James K., 20, Haverhill, Aug. 24, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Artillery, Oct. 

23, '62. 
Petit, Joseph, 26, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Sept. 3, '63. 
Platte, William, 21, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, k. May 6, '64. 
Porter, James, 20, Essex, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Sept. 2, '63. 
Price, Philip, 21, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Sept. 12, '63. 

Quimbly, John W., 24, Lynn, Aug. 24, '61, d. Aug. 23, '64. 

Rich, Josiah P., 34, Bedford, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 12, '62. 

Richards, Tolman C, 28, Roxbury, Oct. 15, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 6, '63. 

Ricketson, Charles, 39, Rochester, Sept. 1, '62, d. Sept. 17, '64. 

Rogers, Peter, 22, Ashfield, July 18, '63, tr. to 28th Mass. Aug. 27, '63. 

Ross, John H., 19, Cambridge, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 9, '62. 

Rourke, James, 24, Bo.ston, Aug. 23, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Rumney, Joseph F., 33, Haverhill, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. May 13, '62. 



ROSTER 497 

Schiller, Willipm, 19, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, k. May 6, '64. 
Schumacher, William, 35, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, k. May 10, '64. 
Shanahan, Daniel, 18, Wareham, Aug. 6, '62, m. July 16, '65. 
Sline, Richard, 24, Lawrence, Aug. 21, '61, deserted June 25, '62. 
Sloeman, John C, 21, Roxbury, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 5, '63. 
Smith, James A., 33, Boston, Aug. 11, '62, deserted Sept. 22, '64. 
Smith, William J., 19, Salem, Dec. 7, '61, k. May 3, '63. 
Spicer, Christian, 33, Lawrence, Aug. 24, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Aug. 19, '63. 
Stearns, John M., 27, Douglas, July 31, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 21, '62. 
Sullivan, Jeremiah, 32, Wareham, Dec. 11, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Tasker, William, 33, Boston, Sept. 3, '62, d. o. w. Dec. 30, '62. 

Taunt, Warren, 28, Randolph, Dec. 18, '61, deserted June 20, '63. 

Taylor, Charles, 26, Springfield, July 11, '64, d. Apr. 28, '65. 

Tenna, John A., 44, Pittsfield, Sept. 1, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 20, '62. 

Tenney, Benjamin P., 37, Newburj'port, Aug. 24, '61, tr. to V. R. C. July 16, 

'64. 
Tobin, James, 23, Cambridge, Aug. 10, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 15, '62. 
Tucker, Darby, 21, Marblehead, Dec. 28, '61, k. May 6, '64. 
Twiggs, Edwin F., 20, Readville, Oct. 8, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 

Vinnarke, Michael, 29, Boston, Jan. 2, '62, k. July 3, '63. 

Walch, John, 43, Boston, Sept. 21, '62, deserted July 8, '63. 

Walton, Henry, 21, Springfield, July 11, '64, d. Apr. 28, '65. 

Warren, Charles A., 18, Beverly, Aug. 29, '61, k. May 12, '64. 

Warren, William W., 45, Boston, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 7, '63. 

Waugh, Peter, 21, Holliston, Aug. 21, '62, m. July 16, '65. 

Welch, Thomas W., 34, Boston, Apr. 8, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Welsh, John, 34, Shutesbury, July 18, '63, deserted Nov. 8, '63. 

Welton, Edward, 22, Roxbury, Aug. 20, '61, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Whelan, William, 20, Boston, July 13, '64, d. Apr. 28, '65. 

Wiley, Timothy, 28, Lowell, July 18, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Wilson, William, 19, Boston, Aug. 19, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent in arrest. 

Winslow, Edward, 27, Truro, Dec. 26, '61, d. o. w. Dec. 30, '62. 

Wood, George, 21, Boston, July 10, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Wood, John, 26, Sandwich, Sept. 23, '62, d. f. d. Apr. 21, '63. 

Woods, George W., 42, Boston, Sept. 12, '62, d. f. d. July 8, '63. 

Woodward, William, 43, Haverhill, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 22, '63. 

Transferred from the Nineteenth Massachusetts on January 14, 1864 

Privates 
Benedict, James, m. July 16, '65. 

Devine, Francis, m. July 16, '65. 

Eldridge, James, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 



498 ROSTER 

Haris, Charles, k. May 6, '64. 

Laurich, John, m. July 16, '65. 
Lucius, Jeremiah, deserted Jan. 24, '64. 
Lynch, James, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

McCarty, Florence, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Mortimer, Charles, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Morton, Philip, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Wheeling, John, m. July 16, '65. 

Tkansferred from the Fifteenth IVIassachusetts on July 27, 1864 

Privates 

McDonald, John, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Martzotte, Lewis, m. July 16, '65. 

Rolle, Alfred. 

Wild, Thomas, d. Apr. 28, '65. 

COMPANY I 

Sergeanis 
Alley, Leander F., 28, Nantucket, July 18, '61, pr. 2d Lieut. Aug. 29, '62. 

Bate, Andrew J., 19, Cambridge, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 26, '62. 
Bogue, Edward, 27, Lowell, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 28, '63. 
Bugney, George A., 22, Boston, tr. from Co. G, Sept. 8, '61, deserted June 15, 
'62. 

Day, Orrin, 34, Boston, tr. from Co. K, d. f. d. July 26, '64. 

Fuller, Henry A., 31, Dorchester, Dec. 31, '61, died a prisoner at Salisbury, 
N. C. June 5, '65. 

Hollis, Thomas, 24, Sandwich, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 6, '63. 

Kelly, William P., 18, Nantucket, July 18, '61, died a prisoner at Wilming- 
ton, N. C. Mar. 5, '65. 

Murphy, Josiah F., 19, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Newell, Charles O., 18, Salem, tr. from Co. H, m. July 16, 'Q5. 

Riddle, William R., 29, Boston, July 26, '61, pr. 2d Lieut. Oct. 9, '61. 

Wheldon, John F., 23, Walpole, Aug. 16, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent. 



ROSTER 499 

Cor'porals 
Baker, Charles H., 18, Nantucket, July 18, '61, pr. Q. M. Sergt. Nov. 26, '61. 

Hastings, George A., 22, Deerfield, tr. from Co. K, died a prisoner at Salis- 
bury, N. C. Jan. 15, '65. 

Manning, William E., 20, Ashfield, July 18, '63, d. f. d. June 10, '65. 

Pratt, George C, 20, Nantucket, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 

Green, Edward P., 21, Nantucket, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Randall, Edward W., 18, Nantucket, July 19, '62, died Mar. '65. 

Shaw, George N., 23, Boston, Aug. 18, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 10, '62. 
Smith, David A., 18, Greenfield, tr. from Co. K, m. July 16, '65. 

Whitford, Benjamin H., 33, Nantucket, July 31, '61, pro. Hosp. Stew. Sept. 

10, '62. 
Williams, Peter, 18, Roxbury, Aug. 8, '61, died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. 

Dec. '64. 

Musicdans 
Crocker, Charles M., 18, Nantucket, Feb. 29, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Davis, Thomas, 20, Sandwich, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 11, '63. 

Lanergan, Patrick, 18, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, pr. Q. M. Sergt. Nov. 11, '64. 

McAndrews, John, 16, Boston, Nov. 26, '61, d. ex. t. Nov. 25, '64. 
McChristal, James, 18, Cambridge, Jan. 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Wagoner 
Gray, George, 36, Waltham, Aug. 29, '61, pr. Hosp. Stew. Jan. 1, '64. 

Privates 

Adams, John, 21, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Ahearn, Thomas, 24, Boston, Aug. 18, '62. No further record. 
Alexander, Edward, 19, Nantucket, July 18, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 
Andrews, Frank, 22, Ashfield, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Apiam, Thomas, 34, Boston, Aug. 18, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent. 
Arling, Alonzo, 18, Charlestown, Dec. 7, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
Armand, Thomas, 21, Charlestown, July 13, '64, deserted Aug. 25, '64. 

Babo, Henry, 26, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent. 

Backus, Erwin, 27, Nantucket, July 26, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Backus, George A., 19, Nantucket, Aug. 5, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Bacon, Robert, 30, Bridgewater, Dec. 2, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Bailey, George R., 18, Nantucket, Aug. 8, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Art. Oct. 24/62. 



500 ROSTER 

Bailey, Samuel H., 21, Boston, Dec. 26, '61, missing since May 12, '64. 

Baker, Robert, 22, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Oct. 15, '63. 

Balch, Francis V., 23, W. Roxbury, Aug. 4, '62, d. f. d. Nov. 10, '62. 

Barber, Alexander M., 40, Charlestown, July 18, '61, d. o. w. Nov. 29, '61. 

Barker, Isaac S., 23, Dartmouth, Sept. 23, '61, k. Dec. 11, '63. 

Barnard, Charles F., 22, Nantucket, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 28, '62. 

Barnard, Charles F., 29, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, d. f. d. Aug. 16, '63. 

Barnard, Frederick W., 21, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 31, '62. 

Barnard, John F., 21, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Barrett, James H., 17, Nantucket, Aug. 11, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 2, '63. 

Barrett, William A., 18, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 8, '63. 

Barrett, William H., 18, Nantucket, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Barry, James, 21, Bridgewater, Dec. 31, '61, deserted Mar. 10, '64. 

Bartlett, Charles W., 19, Boston, tr. from Co. K, d. f. d. Dec. 8, '63. 

Bates, Edwin, 35, Chesterfield, July 18, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 8, '63. 

Bean. Ansel, 25, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 14. '63. 

Bean, A. C, 35, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, k. June 4, '64. 

Benson, Michael, 25, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, deserted Aug. 30, '63. 

Berry, Joseph, 33, Boston, Aug. 7, '62, d. o. w. Dec. 28, '62. 

Bicknell, Joseph, 31, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 

Boerns, John, 29, Worcester, Aug. 3, '63, deserted Sept. 24, '63. 

Bolminster, Henry, 39, Truro, Aug. 8, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Boyce, Calhoun N., 23, Gloucester, Aug. 7, '63, deserted Aug. 30, '63. 

Boyd. John, 35, Boston, Mar. 3, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Brandt, John H., 37, Boston, Aug. 7, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 8, '63. 

Braydon, Angus, 28, Boston, Sept. 4, '61, died Mar. 3, '63. 

Briody, James, 24, Boston, Aug. 11, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Brooks, Frederick, 22, Taunton, Aug. 7, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 8, '63. 

Brooks, John, 21, Concord, Aug. 4, '63, deserted Sept. 1, '63. 

Brooks, Richard, 28, Salem, Nov. 29, '61. k. June 30, '62. 

Brown, Thomas, 26, Easthampton, July 18, '63, m. July 16, '65. 

Brown, William, 26, Easthampton, July 18. '63, tr. to Na\'y, Mar. '64. 

Buck, William E., 21, Southboro, Dec. 2, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

Bucknam, James A., 18, Boston, Feb. 10, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Nov. 15. '63. 

Bunker, William R., 18, Nantucket, Aug. 2, '61, tr. to V. R. C. '63. 

Burgess, Isaiah A., 35, Natick, Feb. 8, '62, k. June 22, '64. 

Burns, Matthew, 26, Stunbridge, June 27, '64, deserted Aug. 25, '64. 

Burrill, Horace P., 24, Boston, Oct. 8, '61, k. July 3, '63. 

Carr, John P., 22, Medford, Sept. 11, '61, d. ex. t. Aug. 1, '64. 
Carver, Thomas H., 21, Boston, tr. from Co. K, m. July 16, '65. 
Cartwright, Edmund, 18, Nantucket, July 18, '61, d. Mar. 3, '63. O. W. D. 
Cathcart, James F.. 38, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 14, '63. 
Chadwick, George W., 19, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, died Jan. 16, '63. 
Chase, Benjamin R., 21, Southboro, Aug. 3, '63, m. July 16, '65. 
Chase, Daniel B., 42, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. Nov. 1, '64. 
Christian, Samuel, 29, Nantucket, Aug. 7, '62, d. Dec. 18, '62. 
Clark, George W., 18, S. Reading, Aug. 9, '62, d. Dec. 5, '62. 
Clark, William H., 19, Webster, July 5, '64, m. July 16, '65. 



ROSTER 501 

Coffin, Albert C, 24, Nantucket, July 26, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 1, '63. 

Coffin, George H., 17, Nantucket, Aug. 14, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 19, '63. 

Coffman, Frederick, 20, Hanson, Aug. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Collins, John, 25, New Bedford, Aug. 5, '63, d. f. d. Apr. 1, '65. 

Conner, Felix, 21, Roxbury, Apr. 18, '64, missing since June 4, '64. 

Conway, PatricK, 38, Nantucket, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Cook, Henry P., 34, Nantucket, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 31, '62. 

Coolidge, Michael, 44, Lowell, July 18, '61, m. July 16, '65. 

Corbett, Thomas, 23, Swanzy, Aug. 7, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Cott, John, 22, Duxbury, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Cottle, Freeman R., 21, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, tr. to Na\y, Apr. 21, '64. 

Crocker, Charles M., 18, Nantucket, Feb. 29, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Crocker, David L., 23, Fitchburg, July 18, '65, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Crocker, Samuel C, 18, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, died a prisoner of war, June 

5, '65. 
Crowell, Barzillar, 22, Tisbury, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 27, '65. 
Crowley, Cornelius E., 25, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 16, '61. 

Daisy, John, 40, Boston, July 18, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Davenport, Peleg B., 25, Tisbury, Aug. 29, '61, k. Dec. 13, '62. 

Davis, Benjamin, 28, Sandwich, July 18, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Day, William O., 28, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Depan, Thomas, 32, Medford, Feb. 22, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Depung, Caleb L., 34, Nantucket, July 26, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 15, '64. 

Dolan, Thomas, 40, Boston, July 18, '61, deserted Dec. 1, '61. 

Dunn, Lewis, 28, Barrington, Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 3, '63, 

Ellis, Andrew S., 27, Nantucket, Aug. 14, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 24, '63. 
Ellis, Charles F., 20, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. o. w. Jan. 17, '63. 
Enos, John B., 27, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 16, '63. 

Farnham, Hanery C, 25, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
Fay, Horatio L., 21, Southboro, Dec. 2, '61, k. July 3, '63. 
Fisher, Charles H., 18, Nantucket, Feb. 29, '64, d. Apr. 25, '64. 
Fisher, Hiram, 42, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 3, '64. 
Fitzgerald, David, 20, Roxbury, tr. from Co. K, died Dec. 29, '64. 
Fitzgerald, Edward, 34, Lowell, tr. from Co. K, m. July 16, '65. Absent pris- 
oner. 
Foley, John, 21, Somerville, July 13, '64, deserted Aug. 25, '64. 
Folger, Henry, 34, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
Furbush, Edward B., 26, Salem, Dec. 14, '61, d. f. d. May 27, '62. 

Gammons, Orlando N., 23, Boston, Sept. 13, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 3, '63. 
Garrity, Edward, 23, Greenfield, July 12, '64, deserted Aug. 24, '64. 
Goodwin, Charles, 21, Boston, July 14, '64, deserted Aug. 5, '64. 
Goodwin, Charles F., 23, Roxbury, Dec. 3, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 3, '62. 
Grady, Martin, 21, Gloucester, July 15, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent pris- 
oner. 
Griffin, Thomas, 24, Boston, Dec. 3, '61, tr. to Navy, Feb. 10, '62. 



502 ROSTER 

Hartenstien, William, 21, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, missing since May 11, '64. 
Heath, Richard, 44, Northfield, Mar. 31, '64, dishonorably d. Apr. 21, '65. 

O. W. D. 
Higgins, Michael, 22, Springfield, July 13, '64, deserted Aug. 25, '64. 
Higgins, Thomas, 24, Boston, Mar. 1, '64, d. o. w. Oct. 6, '64. 
Hill, William F., 28, Randolph, Aug. 15, '61, k. July 3, '63. 
Holbrook, Charles, 31, Braintree, Dec. 9, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 15, '62. 
Hohnes, Albert B., 19, Nantucket, July 18, '61, pr. 1st Lieut. July 18, '63. 
Horrigan, Jeremiah, 18, Cambridge, Jan. 7, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Howard, George F., 18, Boston, Feb. 18, '64, m. July 16, '65. Absent prisoner. 
Hull, Alvin, 18, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 6, '64. 
Hunter, Jared M., 18, Nantucket, July 18, '61, k. June 30, '62. 
Hyde, Virgin O., 21, Southboro, Dec. 3, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 23, '63. 

Isherwood, James, 32, Boston, Aug. 19, '62, deserted Sept. 4, '64. 

Jackson, William, 29, Buckland, Jan. 6, '65, m. July 16, '65, 
Jaham, Francis H., 37, Boston, July 7, '64, d. June 3, 'G5. 
Johnson, George N., 18, Boston, Mar. 17, '62, m. July 16, '65. 
Johnston, Gustavus, 28, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64, missing since May, '64. 
Jones, Henry, 18, Nantucket, July 19, '62, k. July 3, '63. 

Kane, John, 28, Easthampton, tr. from Co. B, tr. to Co. K. 
Kearns, James, 40, Boston, Aug. 20, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
Keenan, Peter, 24, Wrentham, tr. from Co. K, m. July 16, '65. 
Kelly, Albert, 19, Nantucket, July 18, '61, d. Apr. 24, '63, O. W. D. 
Kelly, Timothy T., 39, Nantucket, July 18, '61, deserted July 31, '63. 
Kempton, Martin V., 24, Blackstone, Aug. 15, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
Kimball, Francis O., 30, Roxbury, Dec. 3, '61, tr. to V. R. C. July 1, '63. 

Laidsch, Theodore, 23, Boston, Apr. 4, '64, missing since May 12, '64. 
Leonard, Charles T., 28, Taunton, July 16, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Lepler, Gottlieb, 27, Roxbury, Dec. 7, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Oct. 2, '63. 
Low, William B., 21, Essex, Dec. 3, '61, d. ex. t. Dec. 3, '64. 
Lowell, Samuel, 47, Nantucket, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 26, '63. 
Luce, Benjamin N., 21, Tisbury, Oct. 3, '61, d. f. d. May 26, '63. 
Lyons, Jeremiah, 21, Charlestown, July 13, '64, deserted Aug. 25, '64. 

McAdams, Daniel, 19, Boston, Aug. 15, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 
McCarthy, Michael, 31, Boston, July 26, '61, deserted Dec. 1, '61, 
McCarty, Patrick, 34, Springfield, July 11, '63, m. July 16, '65. 
McCrillis, Lewis, 24, Brookfield, July 20, '63, m. July 16, '65. 
McEnarry, Peter, 19, Chelmsford, Aug. 16, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
McKenna, Peter, 24, Sandwich, July 26, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 
McManey, Joseph, 26, Boston, Feb. 26, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
McNamara, Francis, 34, Brookline, Dec. 5, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 22, '62. 
McRae, Christopher, 24, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Mannsmann, Joseph, 25, Abington, Apr. 19, '64, missing since May 17, '64. 
Marsh, James W., 27, Boston, Feb. 19, '62, deserted June 30, '62. 



ROSTER 503 

Mayo, William, 28, Beverly, July 15, '64, m. July 16, '65. 

Miller, Charles, 24, Duxbury, Aug. 5, '63, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 

Miller, Henry, 24, Dorchester, Apr. 9, '64, missing since May, '64. 

Morris, Charles A., 44, Nantucket, Apr. 14, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Muldoou, Miles, 22, Boston, Oct. 4, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '62. 

Murphy, Edward, 38, Boston, tr. from Co. K, tr. to V. R. C. Sept., '64. 

Murphy, Franklin B., 32, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, d. f. d. Nov. 6, '63. 

Murphy, Owen, 30, Foxboro, Aug. 9, '62, m. Aug., '64. 

Murphy, Terrance, 33, Sandwich, July 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 9, '63. 

Myrick, William, 25, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 27, '63. 

Ness, Augustus, 44, Medford, Mar. 5, '64, tr. to V. R. C. 

Nicholson, George W., 17, Nantucket, Aug. 13, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 3, '63. 

O'Connor, Andrew, 38, Dorchester, Aug. 29, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 1, '62. 
Orpins, Edward P., 22, Nantucket, July 18, '61, deserted May 1, '64. 

Paddock, Thomas E., 21, Nantucket, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C. June, '64. 
Parker, Albert C, 16, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 6, '63. 
Parker, William B., 21, Medford, Mar. 18, '63, d. f. d. Jan. 6, '64. 
Parrington, Edwin, 21, Cambridge, Apr. 19, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Pease, Benjamin B., 18, Nantucket, July 18, '61, pr. 2d Lieut. Apr. 29, '64. 
Perkins, Charles H., 18, Nantucket, Feb. 29, '64, rejected Apr. 26, '64. 
Pierce, Charles G., 36, New Bedford, Aug. 31, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 10, '61. 
Pratt, George C, 20, Nantucket, July 18, '61, tr. to V. R. C, Nov. 15, '63. 

Raymond, Charles H., 23, Nantucket, July 19, '62, deserted May 5, '64. 
Richardson, Cutler A., 24, Boston, Dec. 1, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 11, '62. 
Richardson, John, 21, Roxbury, July 13, '64, deserted Aug. 25, '64. 
Richardson, Ralph, 32, Lowell, Sept. 1, '62, m. July 16, '65. 
Rivers, Alonzo M., 18, Nantucket, July 19, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 20, '63. 
Rivers, Arthur M., 16, Nantucket, Aug. 13, '62, died a prisoner of war, June 

5, '65. 
Rogers, John M., 38, Boston, Aug. 16, '62, d. f. d. July 6, '63. 
Rush, Abraham C, 23, Boston, Dec. 9, '61, k. May 31, '62. 
Russell, Thomas J., 21, Nantucket, Aug. 14, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Apr. 27, '64. 
Ryan, John, 21, Boston, July 15, '62, deserted July 8, '63. 
Ryder, George F., 24, Duxbury, July 26, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 27, '62. 

Sandford, George H., 30, Nantucket, July 20, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 26, '63. • 
Sedon, James, 21, Fall River, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 26, '62. 
Skinner, Edward V., 39, Maiden, Sept. 16, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 26, '62. 
Slow, Sylvester, 39, Hancock, tr. from Co. K, died a prisoner at Anderson- 

ville, Ga., Dec. 29, '64. 
Smith, Elisha M., 18, Tisbury, Aug. 29, '61, k. July 3, '63. 
Smith, John, 26, Fairhaven, Aug. 8, '63, tr. to Navy, May 17, '64. 
Smith, Michael, 25, Dennis, Aug. 1, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 17, '63. 
Snow, George E., 22, Nantucket, July 26, '62, k. Dec. 11, '63. 
Stackpole, Albert, 18, Nantucket, July 18, '61, d. o. w. Oct. 21, '61. 



504 ROSTER 

Standish, Charles H., 24, Windsor, Dec. 3, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 4, '63. 
Starbuck, George B., 22, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent 

wounded. 
Stewart, Charles, 22, Chicopee, July 11, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Stone, James L., 40, Boston, June 21, '64, m. July 16, '65. 
Strick, Julius, 42, Roxbury, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 28, '62. 
Sullivan, Patrick, 32, Boston, Jan. 24, '65, m. July 16, '65. 
Summerhayes, John W., 25, Nantucket, Sept. 9, '61, pr. Sergt. Maj. Jan. 1, '63. 
Swain, Charles A., 23, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 
Swain, Jacob G., 18, Nantucket, Aug. 14, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded- 
Swain, William C, 18, Nantucket, Aug. 21, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 21, '63. 
Swain, William H., 20, Nantucket, Aug. 19, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
Swain, William K., 18, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, died Oct. 17, '62. 
Swan, William F., 44, Nantucket, Aug. 14, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 12, '64. 
Taylor, John H., 19, Worcester, July 8, '64, died Mar. 21, '65. 
Tremblay, Cyprion, 18, Belmont, July 13, '64, m. July 16, '65. 



Waters, Patrick, 31, Boston, Aug. 14, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 
Weeks, Stephen, 18, Sandwich, Feb. 10, '62, d. f. d. Apr. 27, '63. 
Welcome, James A., 22, Nantucket, Aug. 5, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 16, '63. 
Welcome, William H., 19, Nantucket, Aug. 14, '62, k. Dec. 11, .'62. 
Wentworth, George, 25, Waltham, tr. from Co. K, m. July 16, '65. 
Whitcomb, Joseph D., 35, Boston, Nov. 29, '61, deserted Apr. 20, '64. 
Whitford, Benjamin H., 33, Nantucket, July 31, '61, d. Sept. 10, '62. 
Wiggins, Hugh, 27, Boston, Sept. 7, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 29, '63. 
Wilbur, James, 28, Tisbury, Oct. 4, '61, died Nov. 24, '62. 
Wilkinson, Joseph, 32, Harwich, Aug. 5, '63, d. f. d. Oct. 21, '64. 
W^ilson, Alexander, 26, Boston, Aug. 18, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 9, '63. 
Winslow, William H., 39, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 
Winthrop, Alexander, 21, S. Reading, July 28, '62, d. f. d. Aug. 19, '63. 
Woodward, Ezekiel L., 24, Sandwich, July 18, '61, k. Dec. 11. '62. 
Wool, Edmund, 42, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 26, '63. 
Worth, George G., 20, Nantucket, July 18, '61, k. Oct. 21, '61. 
Wulff, Eric, 25, Plymouth, Aug. 13, '62, d. f. d. Oct. 15, '62. 
Wyer, William W., 26, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. Apr. 9, '63. 

Transferred from the NmETEENTH IVIassachusetts on January 14, 1864 

Sergeant 
Gallagher, John W., m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 
Dawson, Thomas R., hanged for rape by order G. C. M. Apr. 14, '64. 

Fuller, Henry G., tr. to Navy, Apr. 21, '64. 

Hamilton, William, m. July 16, '65. 
Hartman,, Alfred, m. July 16, '65. 



ROSTER 505 

Hogan, Michael F., deserted July 26, '64. 
Hunt, Philip, deserted Nov. 14, '64. 

Smith, William, tr. to Navy, May 17, '64. 

Walsh, Michael, m. July 16, '65. Absent sick. 
Williams, Patrick, m. July 16, '65. Absent wounded. 

Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on July 27, 1864 

Privates 

McCaffrey, Michael, m. July 16, '65. 
Mcintosh, Daniel, m. July 16, '65. 
Myrick, George W., d. Aug. 5, '64. 

COMPANY K 

Sergeants 
Burke, John T., 32, Springfield, Sept. 4, '61, k. June 20, '64. 

Campion, Patrick J., 30, Salem, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 10, '63. 
Clark, James O., 22, New York, July 23, '61, d. May 25, '63. 
Compass, Theodore, 29, Randolph, Aug. 21, '61, k. June 30, '62. 

Day, Orrin, 34, Boston, July 28, '61, tr. to Co. I. 

Faunce, Hannibal A., 21, Randolph, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 18, '63. 

Heath, John W., 23, Randolph, Aug. 21, '61, died Aug. 23, '63. 
Holmes, Alfred L., 26, Boston, Aug. 23, '61, k. June 30, '62. 

Parker, Joseph H., 19, Greenfield, Sept. 4, '61. 

CoTforals 
Anderson, Thomas, 45, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 1, '62 as a private. 

Blankenburg, George, 26, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, k. Dec. 13, '62. 

Humphrey, Charles E., 34, Cambridge, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. May 6, '63. 

Kehr, George W., 32, Canton, Aug. 23, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

Morton, William, 24, Philadelphia, July 23, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Art. Oct. 20,'62. 

Sturtevant, Edwin D., 21, Canton, Aug. 30, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Art. Oct. 20, '62. 

MvMcians 
Dudley, Barzilla, 50, Somerville, Dec. 28, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 25, '63. 

Graves, Edward O., 43, Hingham, July 23, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 11, '63. 



506 ROSTER 

Wagoner 
Dyer, Samuel H., 37, Boston, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 7, '63. 

Privates 
Agin, Thomas, 21, Greenfield, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Aug. 29, '62. 

Bacon, Charles H., 28, Boston, Feb. 20, '64, d. f. d. Jan. 5, '65. 

Ballard, Rufus K., 28, Wrentham, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 28, '62. 

Barnes, Norman, 30, Orange, July 23, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 1, '62. 

Bartlett, Charles W., 19, Boston, Aug. 30, '61, tr. to Co. I. 

Blake, James, 40, Boston, Sept. 5, '62, d. f. d. Sept. 28, '63. 

Bowman, Henry, 29, Amherst, Sept. 4, '61, d. o. w. June 21, '64. 

Bowman, Sanford, 33, Amherst, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Aug. 15, '62. 

Brigham, Charles, 45, Boston, Sept. 1, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 4, '63. 

Broinhan, Thomas, 42, Boston, Aug. 19, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 2, '63. 

Brown, John T., 33, Danvers, Aug. 7, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 8, '63. 

Bryant, James W., 21, Dorchester, Aug. 30, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Art. Oct. 20, 

'62. 
Buck, Frederick, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, missing since Mar. 6, '64. 
Burke, John, 31, Boston, Aug. 8, '63, d. o. w. Aug. 5, '64. 
Burke, Thomas, 21, Longmeadow, Aug. 26, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Art. Oct. 20, '62. 
Bushey, Lewis, 20, Springfield, July 13, '64, d. July 28, '65. O. W. D. 

Call, Thomas, 37, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Sept. 12, '63. 

Campion, Edward J., 28, Salem, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 4, '63. 

Carlisle, James, 31, Boston, Aug. 26, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent sick. 

Carney, William, 21, Barnstable, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Oct. 13, '63. 

Carver, Philip M., 18, Boston, Aug. 15, '62, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Carver, Thomas, 42, Boston, Sept. 12, '62, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Carver, Thomas H., 21, Brighton, July 23, '61, tr. to Co. I. 

Chase, George, 21, Yarmouth, Aug. 5, '63, d. f. d. Dec. 20, '63. 

Chase, Theodore, 35, Smithfield, R. I., Aug. 8, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 9, '63. 

Clancey, John, 27, Fall River, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Sept. 12, '63. 

Cole, William, 21, Fall River, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Sept. 15, '63. 

Collier, John A., 37, Chelmsford, Aug. 13, '62, d. f. d. Dec. 29, '63. 

Conner, William, 25, Hopkinton, July 18, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Art. Oct. 20, '62. 

Cronan, Patrick, 22, Boston, Aug. 30, '61, k. July 1, '62. 

Cunningham, Thomas, 21, Provincetown, Aug. 5, '63, deserted Nov. 18, '63. 

Cutler, Charles H., 18, Boston, Mar. 31, '64, tr. to V. R. C. Feb. 3, '65. 

Dana, Henry F., 18, Canton, Aug. 6, '62, d. Mar. 6, '63. 

Dillon, John, 40, Boston, July 26, '62, d. f. d. Aug. 8, '63. 

Docherki, William, 21, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, k. May 6, '64. 

Dolan, John, 21, Boston, July 23, '61, deserted Dec. 15, '61. 

Donnelly, John, 28, Boston, Aug. 30, '61, k. Dec. 11, '62. 

Donnelly, Michael, 24, Lowell, July 18, '61, missing since May 5, '64. 

Fitzgerald, David, 20, Roxbury, Aug. 30, '61, tr. to Co. I. 
Fitzgerald, Edward, 34, Lowell, Aug. 30, '61, tr. to Co. I. 



ROSTER 507 

Flanagan, Thomas, 30, Boston, July 18, '61, d. Mar. 18, '63. 

Foley, Martin, 18, Milford, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. 

Fordham, James, 23, Brimfield, Apr. 8, '64, missing since May 5, '64. 

Gilbert, Martin J., 24, W. Brookfield, Aug. 30, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 15, '61. 
Gilmore, Thomas, 27, Boston, July 28, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 16, '63. 
Goodridge, Sidney S., 33, Chelsea, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Sept. 13, '62. 
Greenwood, Charles, 43, Westboro, Aug. 30, '61, d. Jan. 26, '65. 
Guillow, Ransom, 40, Greenfield, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 20, '61. 

Hamilton, Trafton, 19, Greenfield, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 10, '61. 

Hannigan, Thomas, 31, d. f. d. Mar. 20, '63. 

Hastings, Charles S., 19, Deerfield, Sept. 4, '61, k. Dec. 13, '62. 

Hastings, George A., 22, Deerfield, Sept. 4, '61, tr. to Co. I. 

Hayes, Patrick J., 26, Holliston, Aug. 21, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 6, '63. 

Haynnes, Samuel, 43, Greenfield, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 15, '62. 

Hearney, Charles, 18, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, k. July 3, '63. 

Hill, William F., 21, Canton, Aug. 6, '62, shot for desertion, Aug. 8, '63. 

Hines, John, 19, Boston, July 18, '61, m. Aug. 1, '64. Absent wounded. 

Hogan, Michael F., 28, Boston, July 25, '63, deserted July 26, '64. 

Jones, Benjamin, 21, Hinsdale, Aug.. 30, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Jan. 30, '64. 

Kane, James, 23, Amherst, Sept. 4, '61, deserted Oct. 15, '62. 
Kane, John, 28, Easthampton, tr. from Co. I. No further record. 
Keenan, James, 24, Wrentham, Aug. 30, '62, deserted Dec. 13, '62. 
Keenan, Peter, 26, Lowell, Sept. 4, '61, tr. to Co. I. 
Kenny, John, 38, Cambridge, Aug. 20, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 11, '63. 
Kenny, Timothy, 23, Boston, Feb. 18, '62, d. o. w. Nov. 17, '62. 

Leonard, Chester, 19, Northampton, Aug. 26, '61, d. July 25, '64. 
Loretz, Herman, 27, Boston, Apr. 1, '64, missing since May, '64. 

McCue, John, 35, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 7, '62. 
McQuad, John, 18, Lowell, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 14, '62. 
Messerschmidt, Frederick, 22, Boston, Apr. 14, '64, missing since May 5, '64. 
Miles, Marcus, 31* Amlierst, Sept. 4, '61, died June 3, '64. 
Moire, William G., 20, Roxbury, July 18, '61, d. Aug. 23, '61. 
Morris, Joseph, 25, Abington, July 23, '61, d. f. d. Apr. 15, '62. 
Morrisey, Patrick, 38, Boston, Sept. 19, '62, d. f. d. Jan. 18, '64. 
Multimore, James, 26, Boston, Oct. 20, '62, k. July 8, '63. 
Murphy, Edward, 38, Boston, July 18, '61, tr. to Co. I. 

Norton, James, 23, Brimfield, Apr. 8, '64, missing since May, '64. 

O'Hara, Patrick, 41, Boston, Aug. 26, '61, tr. to Co. D. 
Orcutt, George H., 22, Adams, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 1, '61. 

Pentz, David, 33, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 20, '62. 



508 ROSTER 

Powers, James, 28, Springfield, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 5, '62. 
Pray, Xavier, 49, Andover, Aug. 27, '61, d. f. d. Oct. 31, '62. 

RandaU, Lyman C, 40, Westfield, Aug. 26, '61, d. f. d. Dec. 31, '62. 

Reed, James, 18, Boston, Feb. 19, '64, d. f. d. Apr. 24, '64. 

Rhodes, Frank, 27, Boston, July 23, '61. 

Riley, John, 38, Chelsea, Aug. 26, '61, k. Sept. 17, '62. 

Rogers, James, 38, Boston, Aug. 27, '61, died Nov. 29, '62. 

Sampson, Benjamin F., 23, W. Brookfield, Aug. 30, '61, tr. to 4th U. S. Art. 

Oct. 20, '62. 
Sampson, Isaac M., 21, W. Brookfield, Aug. 30, '61, d. o. w. Jan. 1, '63. 
SawteU, George S., 21, Boston, Aug. 8, '62, k. July 3, '63. 
Schwarneberger, John, 46, Adams, Sept. 4, '61, d. f. d. Feb. 4, '63. 
Slow, Sylvester, 39, Hancock, Sept. 4, '61, tr. to Co. I. 
Smith, David A., 18, Greenfield, Sept. 4, '61, tr. to Co. I as a corporal. 
Smith, James, 20, Northampton, Sept. 4, '61, k. June 9, '64. 
Smith, John, 22, Lawrence, Aug. 26, '61, deserted Feb. 10, '62. 
Snell, Joseph, 34, Wareham, tr. from Co. A, k. Oct. 21, '61. 

Thorpe, Edward, 38, Boston, July 18, '61, d. f. d. Mar. 12, '62. 
Tucker, Samuel, 35, Boston, Dec. 19, '61* d. f. d. Feb. 18, '63. 

Wall, Thomas, 21, Aug. 26, '61, tr. to V. R. C. Aug. '64. 
Walker, Donald, 24, Boston, Aug. 24, '61, died Jan. 1, '63. 
Warren, Francis W., 28, Northampton, July 18, '61, deserted July 26, '61. 
Warren, William H., 22, Salem, Aug. 23, '61, d. f. d. Jan. 10, '63. 
Wentworth, George E., 25, Milton, Aug. 21, '61, tr. to Co. I. 
Wettberg, Edward, 23, Boston, tr. from Co. C, d. f. d. Feb. 10, '65. 
White, Lishur, 20, Dorchester, July 18, '61, d. f. d. July 26, '64. 
White, Wallace, 31, Aug. 24, '61, d. f. d. Nov. 23, '62. 
Whitman, Thomas, 31, Stow, Aug. 30, '61, died June 19, '62. 
Whittemore, James, 25, Boston, deserted July 8, '63. 

Tbansfeered from the Nineteenth ISL^sachusetts on January 14, 1864 

Private 
Williams, John T., d. f. d. Apr. 21, '64. 

Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts on July 27, 1864 

Sergeant 
McFarland, Charles, d. ex. t. Feb. 18, '65. 

Privates 
Geoghegan, George. 



ROSTER 509 

Richardson, Ira M., d. June 9, '65. 
Roach, James, d. f. d. June 15, '65. 
Rock, Michael, d. ex. t. Jan. 27, '65. 
Rowe, Melville B., d. ex. t. Mar. 7, '65. 

Shepard, James E., d. Apr. 65. 

Steadson, Walter, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Aug. 22, '64. 

Stone, Harrison W., k. Feb. 5, '65. 

Triscot, William M., died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Aug. 2, '64. 

Waif, Thomas, died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. Aug. 2, '64. 
Wellington, George F., d. ex. t. Jan. 20, '65. 
Wetherbee, Mason R., d. June 13, '65. 



Unassigned Recrxhts of whom there is no further Record at the 
Massachusetts Adjtjtant General's Office 

Abbo, Alexander, 26, Barre, Apr. 6, '64. 

Abbott, Andrew J., 24, Boston, deserted Oct. 11, '62. 

Abbott, Charles W., 22, Boston, Sept. 16, '62. 

Adams, Charles F., 21, Canton, Aug. 9, '62, died Oct. 2, '62. 

Adams, Henry, 21, Springfield, July 8, '64. 

Adams, Joseph F., 28, Newburyport, died at Raleigh, N. C. 

Adams, Samuel, 39, Lexington, Aug. 30, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 6, '63. 

Aiken, Thomas, 26, Boston, Sept. 8, '62. 

Akerman, Henry, 25, Boston, Apr. 7, '64. 

Albro, Hemy, C. 23, Boston. 

Andrews, Charles, 36, Boston, Mar. 3, '63. 

Anderson, John, 21, Roxbury, Apr. 8, '64. 

Baker, William, 19, Blackstone, Mar. 5, '64. 

Baldwin, Charles, 29, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Barrett, Michael, 21, W. Roxbury, Aug. 5, '63, deserted. 

Barry, William, 27, Boston, Aug. 13, '62. 

Barry, William H., 24, Newbury, Dec. 5, '62. 

Bates, Charles A., 22, Fairhaven, Dec. 12, '62. 

Bayan, Havef, 31, Boston. 

Beddings, Henry, 40, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 

Bernard, Benjamin, 24, Boston, Aug. 26, '62. 

Bernting, Thomas, 25, Sept. 27, '62. 

Berry, Joseph, 33, Boston, Aug. 7, '62, died Mar. 18, '64. 

Bird, William H., 32 Boston, Aug. 6, '62. 

Bomertz, William, 39, Boston, Apr. 4, '64. 

Boobly, Louis, 21, Boston, June 10, '64. 

Bornstein, Myer, 21, Holliston, Aug. 23, '62. 

Bowman, James W., 22, Orleans, Mar. 5, '64. 



510 ROSTER 

Bradley, IVIichael, 21, Ashland, Mar. 4, '62, forwarded to regiment, Mar. 25, 

'62. No further record. 
Brady, Charles, 21, Boston, Mar. 1, '64. 
Brady, Thomas, 23, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Brady, Thomas, 24, Newbury, Dec. 5, '62. 
Brady, William, 23, Ashfield, July 18, '63. 
Bremmer, Frederick, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 
Bren, Peter, 22, Boston, Apr. 22, '64. 
Brennan, John, 24, Newbury, Dec. 5, '62. 
Breslen, William, 22, New Bedford, Aug. 5, '63. 
Bresnar, Morris, 27, Springfield, July 12, '64. 
Brown, George, 38, Boston, Oct. 4, '62. 
Brown, James, 27, Charlestown. 
Brown, James, 26, Boston, Sept. 15, '62. 
Buck, Charles, 20, N. Bridgewater, Aug. 7, '63. 
Buckley, James, 25, W. Newbury, Dec. 5, '62. 
Burns, John, 23, Boston, Sept. 16, '62. 
Busser, Carl, 24, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 
Butler, Thomas, 32, Boston, Aug. 30, '62. 
Butterfield, 21, Worcester, Jan. 20, '62. 

Cahill, Thomas, 26, Boston. 

Calahay, John, 21, Boston, Oct. 9, '62. 

Campbell, John, Aug. 18, '62. 

Carcher, Carl, 22, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 

Carver, Charles H., 22, Boston, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Feb. 27, '63. 

Casler, Theodore, 24, Sterling, Apr. 9, '64. 

Cassidy, Peter, 24, Boston, Sept. 11, '62. 

Clare, Carl, 24, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 

Clark, Edward A., 22, Fitchburg, July 18, '63. 

Clark, George W., 18, S. Reading, Aug. 9, '62, d. 

Clepper, Adam, 19, Boston, Apr. 21, '64. 

Cohen, Abraham, 38. 

Cohen, Joseph, 24, Framingham, Dec. 17, '62. 

Colburn, Franklin C, 28, Grafton, Aug. 23, '63, deserted May 12, '64. 

Collins, James, 18, Boston. 

Connolly, Felix, 30, Boston, Aug. 25, '62. 

Connors, Eugene, 35, Boston, July 15, '62. 

Conway, James, 39, Boston, Aug. 13, '62. 

Conway, Timothy, 34, Boston. 

Cooley, Thomas, 21, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Corcoran, Michael, 29, Boston, Oct. 29, '62. 

Cords, Henry, 19. 

Cox, Matthew, 21, Boston, Aug. 5, '63, deserted. 

Crawford, Charles B., 21, Bolton, July 18, '63. 

Crossman, Elbridge, 41, Boston, Aug. 28, '62, tr. to V. R. C. 

Cunningham, James, 21, Boston. 

Cunningham, John, 23, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Curran, Peter, 25, Boston. 



ROSTER 511 

Dalpe, Jean B., 30, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64. 

Darling, James, 23, Charlestown, Sept. 9, '62. 

Davis, Benjamin C, 26, Bridgewater, Dec. 2, '62. 

Davis, Charles, 26, Boston. 

Deernann, August, 19, Boston, Aug. 9, '64. 

Delaney, John H., 23, Boston, Sept. 13, '62, sent to regiment, Sept. 16, '62. 

No further record. 
Doherty, Patrick, 31, Boston, Sept. 9, '62. 
Doland, Edward, 22, Boston, Oct. 24, '62. 

Doody, Thomas, 20, W. Springfield, June 30, '64, d. o. w. Dec. 1, '64. 
Doyle, Edward, 23, Peru, Mar. 31, '64. 
Doyle, WiUiam, 24, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Drew, John, 27, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Duffy, William, 22, Boston, Oct. 21, '62. 
Dunn, James, 21, Boston, Oct. 8, '62. 
Dwyer, Dederick, 21, Boston, Sept. 3, '62. 

Edson, William, 18, Boston, Sept. 15, '62. 
Edwards, William, 21, Newbury, Dec. 6, '62. 
Epp, Henry, 26, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 
Eulew, Eugene, 26, Boston, Mar. 5, '63. 
Ever, Robert, 22, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 

Faerl, John, 26, Grafton, Apr. 30, '64. 
Feeny, James, 32, Boston, Aug. 26, '62. 
Fenton, John, 43, Boston, Aug. 14, '62. 
Fernald, John, 25, Boston, Oct. 6, '62. 
Fittier, Francis, 32, Boston, Dec. 15, '63. 
Fitzgerald, Joseph, 19, Worcester, July 8, '64. 
Flaherty, John, 21, Boston, Aug. 16, '62. 
Floyd, Robert, 21, Watertown, Mar. 10, '64. 
Fogerty, Patrick, 38, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 
Foot, Thomas C, 30, Boston, Aug. 30, '62. 
Francis, John, 44, Boston, Sept. 11, '62. 
Freeman, Charles, 21, Charlestown, Sept. 9, '62. 
Fox, Charles, 30, Boston, Sept. 15, '62. 
Fox, Warren, 21, Boston, Sept. 26, '62. 

Gagem, John, 22, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Gager, Heinrich, 23, Boston, Mar. 4, '64. 
Geer, John, 22, Blackstone, Aug. 25, '62. 
Geist, Franz, 28, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 
Gibbs, James, 21, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Gloster, Thomas, 23, Boston, Aug. 8, '63. 
Gordon, George, 19, Boston, Oct. 20, '62. 
Gordon, Samuel H., 23, Lynn. 
Green, Charles, 21, Boston, Oct. 8, '62. 
Green, James, 23, Falmouth, Dec. 18, '62. 
Gregas, Gustave, 19, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 



512 ROSTER 

Griley, John, 28, Boston, July 16, '64. 
Grotte, Heinrich, 32, Princeton, Apr. 30, '64. 

Haessner, William, 38, Boston, Apr. 4, '64. 

Hall, Charles D., 25, Orleans, Mar. 5, '64. 

Hall, Henry, 18, Cambridge, July 23, '62. 

Halpin, James, 21, Randolph, Feb. 17, '62. 

Hammond, Horace P., 22, Dorchester, Mar, 31, '64. 

Hannigan, Charles, 21, Holliston, Dec. 22, '62. 

Harmon, James, 22, W. Newbury, Dec. 2, '62. 

Harris, James, 32, Boston, Dec. 25, '62. 

Harris, Simon, 26, Boston, Oct. 10, '62, 

Hart, Charles E., 21, Mattapoisett, Dec. 19, '62. 

Hart, John, 24, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Harvey, George, 27, Boston, Sept. 27, '62. 

Harvey, Henry, 27, Boston, Oct. 18, '62. 

Hayes, James, 22, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Healy, Patrick, 18, Webster, Aug. 5, '61. 

Heatherington, Albert, 22, Boston, Aug. 2, '62. 

Hedges, Frank, 28, Boston, Sept. 30, '62. 

Hehl, John, 21, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 

Henrick, Bennet, 42, Roxbury, June 21, '64. 

Henry, Albert, 38, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 

Henry, William C, 24, Boston, Sept. 9, '62. 

Hinckley, George H., 33, Melrose, Dec. 20, '62. 

Holder, James, 23, Chelsea, Apr. 4, '64. 

Holt, John, 26, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Horan, John T., 18, Boston, July 19, '62. 

Horgan, Jere, 21, Boston. 

Howland, Samuel, 24, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Hunt, William, 22, Boston. 

Hurley, David, 33, Boston, Sept. 2, '62. 

Jackson, William, 21, Rowley. 
Jenkins, Walter, 22, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 
Johnson, James, 25, Boston, Oct. 20, '62. 
Johnson, John, 25, Boston, Sept. 18, '62. 

Karstein, William, 29, HoUiston, Apr. 6, '64. 

Keefer, William F., 33, Mar. 30, '64. 

Kelly, Charles, 30, Boston, Oct. 3, '62. 

Kelly, Charles F., 39, Boston, Sept. 8, '62. 

Kelly, William, 22, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 

Kendrick, George C, 21, Chelsea, Apr. 12, '64. No record at War Dept. 

Kennedy, James, 21, Ashland. 

Kennedy, John, 24, Randolph, Feb. 7, '62, d. f. d. Mar. 17, '63. 

Kenny, David, 21, Sandwich, Aug. 8, '63. 

Kindling, James, 24, Boston, Aug. 28, '62. 

King, Charles, 22, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 



ROSTER 513 

King, Charles, 26, Boston. 
Klanz, Ernest, 36, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 
Knott, William, 42, Boston, Sept. 12, '62. 
Kolb, John, 22, Waltham, Mar. 7, '63. 
Kook, Weuden, 32, Gloucester, July 12, '64. 
Kough, Owen, 20, Brookfield, Apr. 4, '64. 

Laekins, Philip, 24, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Lahey, John, 31, Boston, Aug. 5, '63. 

Lang, John, 31, Boston, July 15, '64. 

La^vlon, Joseph R., 27, Barre, Apr. 6, '64. 

Leihr, Frederick, 30, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 

Logan, Robert M., 40, Boston, Feb. 6, '63. 

Long, George, 21, Boston. 

Louis, Thomas F., 27, Boston, m. July 15, '65. Absent sick. 

Ljiord, John, 21, Springfield, m. July 15, '65. 

Lyman, John, 22, Boston. 

LjTich, John, 18, Foxboro. 

Lynch, Patrick, 43, Boston, Aug. 23, '62. 

Lynch, Thomas, 21, Boston, Oct. 7, '62. 

Lyons, Edward J., 25, Framingham, Dec. 16, '62. 

McCarthy, John, 21, Boston, Mar. 6, '62. 

McCarty, James, 23, HoUiston, Aug. 23, '62. 

McCarty, Thomas, 18, Boston. 

McCarty, Thomas, 28, Sandwich, Aug. 8, '63. 

McCarty, Timothy, 24, Chelsea, Sept. 12, '62. 

McCleary, John, 44, Boston, Jan. 17, '62. 

McCormick, Michael B., 34, Boston, Aug. 14, '62. 

McCoy, Thomas, 22, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

McDormitt, George, 22, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

McGlynn, John, 21, Boston, Oct. 24, '62. 

McGowan, John, 22, Rowley, Dec. 22, '62. 

McGowan, Timothy, 20, Raynham, Aug. 7, '63. 

McGuire, John, 22, Quincy, Aug. 7, '63. 

McKenney, Dennis, 21, Lawrence. 

McKenny, George, 21, Boston, Aug. 9, '62. 

McKinley, Alexander, 19, Boston, Mar. 29, '62. 

McKnight, Edward, 21, Boston, Aug. 4, '62. 

McLean, Eugene, 21, Boston, Aug. 30, '62. 

McSorley, John, 27, Boston, Oct. 25, '62. 

Maffett, James, 24, Framingham, Dec. 17, '62. 

Maguire, Edward, 21, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Manning, John, 28, Dorchester, Aug. 7, '63. 

Manning, Michael, 22, Concord, Aug. 7, '63. 

Marsh, James, 21, Framingham, Dec. 16, '62. 

Marsh, Thomas, 22, Boston, Oct. 21, '62. 

Marshall, Joseph, 27, Boston, May 7, '64, missing since May 18, '64. 

Martin, John, 22, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 



514 ROSTER 

Martin, Simon, 23, Dorchester, Apr. 4, '64. 

Martin, William, 25, Framingham, Dec. 16, '62. 

May, Henry, 22, Concord, Aug. 4, '63. 

Mehle, Theodore, 29, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 

Mentges, Robert, 27, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 

Merrill, Edwin, 19, Boston, Sept. 29, '62. 

Merton, Paul, 21, Holliston, Dec. 20, '62. 

Miller, Albert, 23, Roxbury, Apr. 8, '64. 

Minamon, N. F., 32, Wareham. 

Mitchell, Richard, 33, Charlestown, Aug. 30, '62. 

Molter, Thomas, 26, Bedford, Apr. 8, '64. 

Moore, James, 23, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Moran, Thomas, 24, Boston, Oct. 21, '62. 

Moran, Thomas, 22, Maiden, May 26, '64. 

Morgan, John, 30, Newbury, Dec. 4, '62. 

Morris, Daniel, 21, Aug. 18, '62. 

Morris, John, 22, Boston, Feb. 29, '64. 

Morris, John, 25, Boston, Aug. 6, '62. 

Morrison, James H., 32, Boston, Aug. 1, '62. 

Morse, Frank D., 18, Worcester, Nov. 26, '61, d. Nov. 4, '64. 

Moser, Nicholas, 24, Maiden, Feb. 23, '64. 

Mullane, Jeremiah, 30, Boston, Sept. 3, '62. 

Munroe, Edward, 27, Boston, Oct. 9, '62. 

Munson, James, 29, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Murphy, James, 20, Boston, July 18, '63. 

Murphy, Philip, 24, Charlestown, Aug. 30, '62. 

Murtain, Marcus, 21, Boston, Aug. 9, '62. 

Norton, Edward, 22, Boston, Sept. 2, '62. 
Norton, John, 39, Boston, Sept. 2, '62. 
Nosdall, Jacob, 21, Boston, Apr. 21, '64. 
Nugent, Thomas, 32, Boston, July 18, '63, deserted. 
Nureihn, Carl, 20, Boston, Apr. 4, '64. 

O'Brien, Daniel, 18, Boston, Aug. 13, '62. 
O'Brien, Frank, 21, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 
O'Brien, James, 18, Boston, Sept. 10, '62. 
O'Brien, James, 27, Boston, Oct. 18, '62. 
O'Neil, Henry, 27, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Owens, Peter, 30, Aug. 15, '62. 

Paine, Charles, 23, Boston, Aug. 29, '62. 
Palm, John, 34, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 
Palmer, David, 22, Mattapoiset, Dec. 18, '62. 

Paul, William, 26, Carver, Aug. 5, '63, drowned in Boston Harbor while at- 
tempting to desert. 
PecK, Barnard, 19, Blackstone, Aug. 25, '62. 
Peck, James, 22, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 
Pendergast, John, 37, Boston, Oct. 21, '62. 



ROSTER 515 

Peterson, Patrick H., 28, Boston, Aug. 21, '62, 
Phillips, William, 25, Boston, Aug. 26, '62. 
Potter, Joseph, 19, Sterling, Apr. 8, '64. 
Power, Michael, 24, Boston, Aug. 7, '63. 
Pratt, William L., 34, d. f. d. Apr. 26, '62. 
Proctor, Joseph H., 19, Shrewsbury, Aug. 11, '62. 
Putnam, Amos D., 26, Boston, Aug. 16, '62. 

Quigley, Bernard, 38, Boston, Aug. 19, '62. 

Radike, Andrew, 24, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 

Ransom, George, 20, Dorchester, Apr. 6, '64. 

Reynolds, Michael, 18, Springfield, July 8, '64. 

Rhodes, Gardner T., 31, Boston, Aug. 25, '62. 

Rice, Daniel, 21, Boston, Aug. 25, '62. 

Richards, Thomas J., 38, Boston, Sept. 1, '62. 

Riehl, John, 30, Boston, Apr. 13, '64, deserted May 27, '64. 

Ries, August, 19, Boston, Apr. 4, '64. 

Riley, James, 21, Boston, Sept. 17, '62. 

Riley, John, 19, Lowell, Aug. 18, '62. 

RUey, John, 22, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Riley, John, Jr., 18, Boston, Sept. 1, '62. 

Rivers, Franklin, 28, Boston, Apr. 23, '64. 

Robbins, Barney, 24, Newbury, Dec. 6, '62. 

Roberts, Albert F., 22, Agawam, July 11, '64, deserted Aug. 25, '64. 

Robichaud, Arthur, 22, Dorchester, Apr. 1, '64. 

Robinson, George, 29, Chelsea, Apr. 18, '64. 

Rogers, Chark^, 27, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Rogers, James, '1, Boston, Sept. 8, '62. 

Rogers, Patrick, i3, Rowley, Dec. 22, '62. 

Rooney, John, 32, Boston, Aug. 4, '62. 

Ross, George, 20, Orleans, Aug. 5, '63. 

Ruff, Andrew, 34, Holliston, Dec. 20, '62. 

Ruihart, John, 37, Boston, Aug. 8, '63. , 

Rynard, Richard, 28, Boston, Sept. 10, '62. 

Saklen, Yon, 29, Boston, Oct. 6, '62, died Dec. 28, '62. 

Schmidt, Lewis, 27, Fairhaven, Dec. 13, '62. 

Schmitz, John H. F., 30, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 

Scott, Samuel, 25, Chelsea, Mar. 18, '64. 

Semmes, Stephen, 27, Boston, Mar. 25, '64. 

Service, John, 44, Boston, Aug. 13, '62, d. as diseased, Sept. 11, '62, as an un 

assigned recruit. 
Shannon, Richard, 24, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Shaw, George H., 22, Newbury, Dec. 9, '62. 
Shay, Thomas, 21, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 
Simpson, Adam, 31, Newbury. 
Slattery, James, 19, Boston, Oct. 24, '62. 
Slocy, David, 21, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 



516 ROSTER 

Slone, Samuel, 20, Roxbury, Apr. 8, '64. 

Smith, Abraham, 25, Boston, Oct. 6, '62. 

Smith, Beman, 23, Charlestown. 

Smith, Calvin W., 26, Haverhill, Aug. 8, '62. 

Smith, Charles, 27, Boston, Sept. 27, '62. 

Smith, Charles, 30, Abington, Aug. 3, '63. 

Smith, George, 21, Concord, July 29, '63. 

Smith, John, 22, Boston, Aug. 8, '63. 

Smith, John, 22, Boston, Oct. 13, '62. 

Smith, John, 21. Boston, Oct. 24, '62. 

Smith, Lawrence, 19, Boston, Aug. 5, '63. 

Smith, Peter, 21, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62, d. f. d. July 28, '65. 

Snow, Henry A., 32, Framingham, Dec. 16, '62. 

Southwick, John A., 34, Boston, Aug. 25, '62. 

Spellacy, John, 31, Boston, Aug. 16, '62. 

Stamp, John, 21, Boston, Apr. 1, '64. 

Stanton, James, 25, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Stevens, Alexander, 22, Boston. 

Stevens, John, 22, Boston. 

Stickney, Roscoe N., 19, Boston. 

Sullivan, David, 22, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 

Sullivan, John, 23, Charlestown, Aug. 30, '62. 

Sweeney, James, 28, Boston, July 28, '62, k. May 5, '63. 

Sweeney, Simon, 21, Boston, Aug. 18, '62. 

Swift, Shadrach F., 19, Sandwich, July 15, '62. 

Taylor, Henry, 21, Harwich, Aug. 8, '63. 

Thertett, Timothy, 44, Boston, Aug. 8, '62. 

Thomas, Henry, 22, Dorchester, Mar. 14, '64. 

Thomas, William W., 21, Gloucester, Aug. 7, '63. 

Thompson, Charles, 21, Fairhaven, Dec. 13, '62. 

Thompson, George, 24, Mattapoisett, Dec. 13, '62. 

Thompson, Thomas, 29, Oxford, July 12, '61, d. f. d. Aug. 6, '64. 

Thorn, Henry, 26, Buckland, July 18, '63. 

Thorn, John, 21, Boston, Aug. 19, '62, tr. to V. R. C. Sept. 18, '63. 

Tierney, Matthew, 21, Boston, Jan. 28, '63. 

Torrance, Samuel, 21, Boston, Feb. 26, '64. 

Tracy, Patrick, 21, Boston, Oct. 22, '62. 

Van Thilly, John B. A., 25, HoUiston, Dec. 17, '61. 
Volf, Frederick, 21, Upton, Aug. 3, '63. 
Vought, Joseph, 23, Boston, Dec. 17, '61. 

Waldeck, John, 26, Fairhaven, Dec. 13, '62. 

Wallace, James A., 21, Bo.ston, Oct. 8. '62. 

Wallace, Thomas, 26, Boston, Dec. 17, '62. 

Ward, Robert, 21, Boston, Sept. 27, '62. 

Warren, John, 27, Fairhaven, Dec. 10, '62. 

Waterman, Nelson, 19, Nantucket, Aug. 12, '62, d. f. d. Oct. 24, '62 



ROSTER 517 



Webb, James, 35, Boston. 

Weiler, Christen, 36, Maiden, May 18, '64. 

Welsh, Michael H., 23, Boston, Mar. 30, '64. 

West, William, 21, Mattapoisett, Dec. 18, '62. 

Weston, Edward, 22, Boston, Sept. 26, '62. 

Wheelock, Mitchell, 37, Boston, Aug. 5, '62. 

White, Alfred, 30, Rowley. 

Wier, Dennis, 33, Boston, Sept. 10, '62. 

Wilddy, Henry, 21, Ashfield, July 18, '63. 

Williard, Joseph C, 25, Newbury. 

Williams, Charles H., 24, Boston, Mar. 30, '64. 

Williams, George, 26, Peru, Mar. 30, '64. 

Williams, Theodore, 19, Boston, Aug. 9, '62. 

Williams, Thomas, 27, Newbury, Dec. 5, '62. 

Willis, Henry H., 33, Boston, Sept. 23, '62. 

Wilson, Charles B., 27, Boston, Oct. 3, '62. 

Wilson, John, 28, Boston, Oct. 9, '62. 

Winslow, Henry A., 26, Bridgewater, Dec. 2, '62. 

Woodbury, George, 24, Boston, Aug. 9, '62. 

Wright, Michael, Charlestown. 

Wright, William B., 26, Boston, Oct. 23, '62. 

Yost, John, 20, Boston, Apr. 13, '64. 
Young, Joseph, 30, Newbury, Dec. 5, '62. . 
Yunghanty, John, 28, Boston, Apr. 4, '64. 

Zeis, Jonas, 26, Sterling, Apr. 9, '64. 



Transferred from the Nineteenth MASSACHUSErrrs without being 

ASSIGNED TO ANY CoMPANY, ON JANUARY 14, 1864 

Sergeant 
Curtis, C. A., m. July 16, '65. 

Privates 

Boye, James; Burnham, George; Farren, John; Halligan, Michael, deserted 
June 30, '64; Harrison, James M.; Lopez, Frank; Lynch, Charles; Mohr. 
Charles A., deserted May 4, '64; Mortimer, Charles; White, William. 

Transferred from the Fifteenth Massachusetts without being 
assigned to any company on july 27, 1864 

Sergeant 
Bryson, Alexander. 

Privates 

Barclay, Thomas; Betterley, Edward, d. Aug. 5, '64; Booth, Edwin, d. f. d. 
Dec. 31, '64; Brenner, Joseph; Cobleigh, Franklin E.; Ellis, Elias B., d. f. d. 
Aug. 30, '65; Flaherty, Richard; Hart, John, no further record ; Healy, Patrick ; 



518 ROSTER 

Hovey, Franklin; Jaquier, Lewis, no furtlier record; Johnson, James N.; 
McCarty, Thomas; Mclntire, Herbert D.; Maynard, Winthrop, tr. to R. I. 
Battery; Mills, Jeremiah; Morse, Frank D.; Shmnway, Charles N., d. f. d. 
June 28, '65; Thompson, Thomas, 2d, discharged for wounds Aug. 6, '64; 
Whitney, Frederick, d. Aug. 6, '64; Wood, Thomas. 

Transferred from the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts June 21, 1865 

Sergeants 

Bartlett, Joseph F.; Cutting, Orville E.; Murphy, Michael; Read, Stephen 
W.; Rouse, Ashbel W.; Sherman, Thomas B.; Vincent, Micajah H.; Wood, 
Otis B. 

Corporals 

Austin, Clancy L.; Black, Lewis T.; Bouney, Henry B.; Calhoun, William C. 
Donahoe, William; Drake, Clement F. ; Dunican, Henry A. ; Johnson, Eben M. 
Jones, John; O'Brien, Patrick H.; Sandford, Merritt S.; Walker, Francis 
Welch, James. 

Musicians 

Dolan, Thomas; Sager, George; Sheehan, Robert. 

Wagoners 
Murphy, John; Warner, George. 

Privates 

Adams, Charles E.; Allen, Sylvester W.; Ashman, John; Ball, John D.; Ball, 
Nelson O.; Barnum, Edgar; Barry, George H.; Barry, James; Barton, Henry B.; 
Bigelow, Charles H.; Billings, Stephen H.; Blossom, James W.; Boocock, 
William; Brazill, Thomas; Brew, Michael; Briggs, George G.; Briggs, Joel; 
Britt, Patrick; Brokaw, Abram; Brown, Robert; Bryant, Walter B.; Burke, 
Richard; Burrows, Isaac H.; Carl, Thomas; Carleton, George W., Jr.; Caswell, 
Hiram K.; Chase, Joseph A.; Chase, Reuben; Church, David; Church, William 
B., Jr.; Clark, Holly C; Cochrane, Charles; Cochrane, Hugh D.; Cole, Cyrus; 
Cole, George N.; Cole, John; Colson, Edward W.; Conklin, Ebenezer: Cook, 
Albert H.; Cook, Dwight; Crossley, George E.; Cummings, Lee; Cunningham, 
John; Cunningham, Joseph; Day, John T.; Deady, Edward; Dingman, Martin 
V. B.; Dodge, Philip M.; Dresser, William O.; Duggan, Edmund; Edwards, 
Charles S.; Eldridge, Jeremiah C; Evans, Charles W.; Evans, George; Flaherty, 
John; Fontain, Simon; Frazier, William ; Fuller, Benjamin F. ; Gaffney, John; 
Gall igan, Peter; Healey, Michael F. ; Hecox, James; Hemenway, John; Hickey, 
Charles; Hillman, Jerome E.; Houghtling, Christopher D.; Hibbard, George F. ; 
Huot, Peter; Inglis, Thomas; Jenkins, Rosser; Johnson, John; John.son, William; 
Jones, Ira L.; Kelly, John; Kelly, Patrick; Kennedy, John; Kennedy, Martin; 
Kilroy, James; King, Otto; Kitridge, Henry G. W.; Knight, John L.; Laro, 
Edward; Lasha way, John; Lavigne, John; Leon, Alexander; Lombard, Napo- 
leon; Lord, James F.; McArthur, James; McCormick, James; McDonald, 
James; McGlenn, Thomas; McGrath, John; McGregiry, Albert B.; Maginley, 
Thomas; Markham, Lafayette; Meeney, Patrick; Messenger, Adelbert W. ; 
Meyer, Carl; Miner, Charles F.; Moffitt, William; Morin, Hubert; Morrisey, 
John; Morse, Richard D.; Mullen, Patrick; O'Brien. John; O'Conneli, Patrick; 



ROSTER 519 

O'Neil, Michael; Packard, Charles; Paddock, Ichabod S.; Parker, Joseph A.; 
Peck, Charles H.; Perkins, Henry E.; Perry, James W.; Pettit, Robert C; 
Phillips, Howard W.; Plass, Michael ; Pooley, John; Potter, Edward T. ; Pucell, 
William; Randall, Ethan A.; Regan, David; Remmington, Benjamin F.; Rice, 
Sylvanus N.; Riley, Edwain; Riley, William; Ring, Joseph; Rogers, Hiram; 
Rowe, Thomas F.; Rowell, Daniel M.; Sandford, Joseph E.; Sargent, Theo- 
dore; Scott, James L.; Shaf toe, William; Shannon, Thomas; Shaw, Alvin D.; 
Sheehan, John; Sheldon, James W.; Smiddy, Morris; Smith, Henry; Smith, 
Peter; Smith, Warren M.; Smyth, Robert; Spellman, Charles E.; Squires, 
John E.; Stalker, Peter; Staples, Charles E.; Staples, Edward E.; Sullivan, 
Bartholomew; Taylor, Edward H.; Thompson, George W.; Tootles, Edward; 
Tufts, Anthony F.; Turner, Charles R.; Ufford, Charles D.; Vanbolkenberg, 
Charles; Wait, Marshall M.; Walker, William E.; Warren, James P.; Webster, 
Charles; Wemys, David; Wetherbee, James A.; Wetherell, Albert; Whitney, 
John; Wiggan, HenryA.; Wilbur, Lloyd; Willard, Rufus W.; Williams, Austin 
A.; Worrillow, William; Wood, Edwin E.; Wolf, Henry; Wright. Allen; Wrisley, 
William M. 



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